New Crossroads born and bred gospel artist Bukiwe Twani, who has been in the music industry for more 10 years, delivered a powerful, healing and moving performance at JL Zwane Centre on Saturday November 4.
Under the theme “Tehillah Evening with Bukiwe Twani”, the event was organised by ROG Media with the intention of bringing gospel artists who had never performed in Cape Town to the province.
Ms Twani, who was part of the awarding-winning MTN Joyous Celebration Gospel Group for nearly six years, was accompanied by the High Note group who kept the audience on the edge of their seats as well.
The 41-year-old singer, who has released one album so far, is now pushing her solo career.
The mother of one said she has been longing for years to come back to Cape Town where her singing career began to give her hometown a taste of her talent but she believed that she needed to come back when the time was right and had a clear picture of what she intends to do next.
She said the core aim of the event was also to serve as a motivation and inspiration to young and upcoming artists that they need to work hard to attain their dreams.
Ms Twani said she also wanted to share her musical journey with the people of Cape Town.
She said she intends to release her second album next year and before she does that she believes that she needs to reconnect with her roots so that she can get blessings.
She said after she left the MTN Joyous Celebration Gospel Group in 2008 she received countless offers from various music companies who wanted to sign her, but she believed that it was not the right time to embark on a solo career and release an album.
However, she said in 2011, two years after she left the group, she released her first album titled Wethembikile.
She said she never anticipated that the album would be nominated as the best newcomer album at the Grown Gospel Music Awards, but unfortunately she did not win the award.
She said she was not disappointed or angry that she did not win but was happy because it showed that she was on the right path in her career.
She said due to countless musical and life challenge she had to put on hold her plans of releasing her second album and for six years she had been singing at different functions and occasions.
Ms Twani said, however, now she was working tirelessly, putting together her second album which she intends to release next year.
“Gospel music is my life and it’s the way that I give praise and worship the Almighty the best way I can.
“It was important to me that I come back to my home and seek blessings as I did when I joined Joyous.
“I have learnt so much and realised that one can actually make a living out of music.
“I have learnt that music is not about yourself but it’s about passing on the message of God,” she said.
Ms Twani started singing while she was still at primary school, being the one who led morning prayers with a song. But she said she never really thought that she would be a singer.
She explained that she joined various local gospel groups before she joined Joyous.
She said that the harsh reality was that it was hard for artists to make it in Cape Town.
Founder and director of ROG media, Khayalethu Christopher Twalo, said the intention was to bring spiritual healing to the people of Cape Town and to make gospel popular in the province.
He said this was the first event the company has done and they aim to make it an annual gospel fusion event.
