With 17 days remaining before the first-ever Mangaung Gospel Festival, local artists, groups and soloists are bracing themselves to deliver impressive performances. Homegrown artists are billed to display their talent at the 20 000-seater Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium in Botshabelo on 1 April.
The Shakers, a five-member male gospel group based in Bloemfontein, is one of the local groups to enjoy the limelight at the forthcoming festival. Here various artists will sing in different voices to reverberate the famous Sotho hymn “Mphe maleme a sekete”, meaning “O for a thousand tongues to sing, my great Redeemer’s praise.”
The group was formed by members of the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) on 16 January 2003. This had been inspired by the Avante gospel group and the late male soloist Vuyo Mokoena, who collaborated with various artists.
The members are Sonny Mophosho, Joy Melamu, Karabo Oliphant, Tumi Coangae and Serai Mongwegape.
“We are delighted to be working with the organisers of the Mangaung Gospel Festival,” said Coangae, spokesperson for the group.
“The good and rare thing is that this will be a first that features a host of local Free State gospel artists; hence we came on board, and we promise to give a good performance.
“Our view is that this serves as a good platform to unite Free State artists and their work, through a project to be proud of in the long run.”
The group has one complete ten-track album, titled Thina. It was followed up by the release of two singles: “Ampitsa” and “Jo Lefifi”. Both of these have their origin in famous hymns.
The organisers of the Mangaung Gospel Festival have made provision for 300 VIP tickets, of which only 120 remain; while about 135 general tickets selling at R250 are left.
With the countdown to the event, the organisers are again advising people to purchase tickets at accredited outlets that provide proof of their purchase. No tickets will be sold at the host venue.
“We are avoiding situations in which people fall prey to criminals, as our priority is the safety of everyone – artists and people who purchase tickets alike,” said Apostle Muso Motsoikha.
