Local lads thrill gospel lovers

Gospel music lovers in Khayelitsha were treated to a gospel event organised by two budding Khayelitsha artists, Anele Mbuka and Onke Jalamba, at Luhlaza High School hall on Saturday June 2.

The event was attended by popular gospel artists such as Veliswa Skeyi, Nobathembu, a former Joyous Celebration artist, and many more local artists who kept the audience on the edge of their seats.

In an interview with Vukani, Mr Jalamba, said the event was aimed at bringing gospel lovers together to worship the Lord. But, most importantly, he said, they wanted to introduce their duet to the community of Khayelitsha in style.

He added that they were working toward recording an album together which would be titled Ilinge Lokuqala.

They expect to release it in September. He said last year he walked away with the award for best community gospel presenter at the Ingoma Awards while Mr Mbuka walked away with the award for best street marketing (“Headline”, Vukani, date).

He said they had decided last year to host an event to celebrate their awards with the community of Khayelitsha. Since then, he added, they had enjoyed massive support and felt obliged to record and release an album.

This album, he said, would be a combination of praise and worship that sought to provide spiritual and emotional healing.

“We are glad that the event has been a success even though there were hiccups along the way. We never received any sponsorship; we took from our own pockets to fund the event. We are grateful for the support that keeps coming.

“We hope that the people will support this album. We are still standing here because of the support of our people despite challenges we have encountered and we therefore plead that they stand with us in this journey once more,” he said.

Mr Jalamba has so far released one album and it has been well received. Mr Mbuka said he met Mr Jalamba in 2010 at a gospel event and they instantly became friends.

Renowned gospel artist Veliswa Skeyi said she enjoyed attending gospel events organised by young people and that it was important for established artists to support upcoming artists and not feel threatened by them.

“I will always support budding artists because I’m where I am because of others. It is our duty to nurture and mould them,” she said.