Gospel and maskandi music lovers gathered at the Shekhinah Healing Ministries in Luzuko on Saturday November 9 when Radio Zibonele, in partnership with various stakeholders, hosted a cocktail concert.
The show was meant to celebrate some of the station’s recent achievements. It has a new logo and is now being streamed live on DStv on channel 841.
Sibusiso Mathe, a traditional healer based in Makhaza, known as”Inyangi Yezizwe”, was the brains behind the show and dug deep in his pockets to put the show together.
Heavy weight artists such as Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Bulelani Koyo, Mdumi Mkokstad, Mbuzeni, Ichwane lebhaca and Inyoni’Mhlophe left the audience begging for more.
The poorly attended show was also meant to unite people despite their religious beliefs and groups. However, chaos erupted when Mr Mathe was told to stop addressing the audience due to religious clashes and intolerance when he spoke about traditional medicine and healing.
But Radio Zibonele station manager, Mawande Jara, downplayed the incident and only described it as unfortunate.
Talking about the show, he said the station felt that this was one of the best ways to celebrate some of its achievements in partnership with some of their key supporters.
He said they had produced 102 graduates who had received training from the station’s academy on various aspects of radio.
He said for the first time in history their employees could receive an Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) benefit when they leave the station.
The station has also published five books in an effort to create an alternative source of income.
Mr Jara said all of these successes show that the station is heading in the right direction.
“We want to conquer the airwaves. We want to be known as the best station. We want to make a difference in our community and leave a lasting impact. We want to be the best community radio station in Africa. We want to grow this brand together with the community which has been rallying behind us for years,” he said. Nolubabalo Kholo said the show was great but there was room for improvement. But she said such shows were important as music lovers get a chance to meet their favourite artists.
She urged the station to continue hosting such shows as they bring spiritual upliftment while preserving culture and heritage.
Mr Mathe said he was not happy how he was interrupted and eventually stopped from addressing the people while he was the main sponsor of the event.
He said through the show he wanted to promote unity between different religious groups, not to divide the nation. He said it was disappointing that there were certain people who do not want to tolerate other cultural beliefs and practices simply because they are Christians.
He said he wanted to use the show to uplift the entire community of Khayelitsha and nearby areas.
He said he bought food parcels for senior citizens and also gave them money to buy some necessities.
Mr Mathe has also started a foundation which would assist young and upcoming artists to flourish in their careers. “I paid for accommodation and travelling costs for all these artists who are here. I provided the sound system. I bought food parcels for more than 50 people. I have emptied my bank account to ensure that the show wasa success,” he said.