BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE: South African Gospel artists Canaan Nyathi, Ntokozo Ngongoma, and Oncemore Six are among the first review artists who will perform at the Mother of All Gospel Shows.
The Mother of All Gospel Shows has revealed the artist who will perform at the Gospel Extravaganza on April 27. It will be held at the Mavuso Exhibition and Trade Centre. It is worth noting that the second phase of the artist review will be released soon.
Gospel artist Ndunduzo Matse, who is the brains behind the concept, shared with this publication that they are starting to reveal the names of artists who are set to perform as they build the show, which is less than three months away. “I can assure the nation that the 2024 Mother of All Gospel Shows will be bigger and better than last year. So far, we have revealed a few artists who will be part of the Mother of All Gospel Shows. These are the South African artists: Canaan Nyathi, Ntokozo Ngongoma, Oncemore Six, Nothando Hlophe, Siphiwo Ndoni, Gcebile Maseko, and Ntando Ngcamphalala,” shared Matse.
It is worth mentioning that Gcebile Maseko and Ntando Ngcamphalala won the Mother of All Gospel Shows competition and went on to record albums and videos thanks to Matse’s concept. The prize for winning the competition included a live DVD and audio recording after winning the auditions. According to Matse, the successful ladies are growing; they have released their songs, two of which are available online. They have graced many big stages, including the Eswatini International Trade Fair Gospel Sunday.
The early bird tickets were released in the second week of December last year and are going for E150. Worth noting is that tickets at the gate will cost E200. Tickets will be available online and on MTN MoMo; there are no physical tickets for now.
The Mother of All Gospel Shows concept started in 2016. Matse shared that the purpose of inventing this show was inspired by the need to grow the industry and create a platform for both established and upcoming artists to showcase their God-given talent.
According to Matse, the passion to discover, develop, and expose new talent is his greatest inspiration. So far, 17 artists have been born, and many have been recognised for performances on this platform that began a few years ago.
Worth noting is that the talent search will kick off in January 2024 in all four regions of the country, namely Hhohho, Manzini, Shiselweni, and Lubombo.
Last year’s show was held at the Mavuso Exhibition Centre main hall. It was well attended by Gospel fans who came to witness the live recording and enjoy the music. Some of the musicians who performed included South African Gospel artists, namely SbuNoah, Mpumi Mtsweni, Canaan Nyathi, Xiliswa Kwinana, Thina Zungu, who sang with his son Muzi, and the son of the late gospel artist Neyi Zuma. Local artists who performed were Linda Dlamini, Banele Dlamini, Nothando Dlamini, Ndoni Ndlangamandla, Bhelakzi, and many more.
Matse is a Gospel artist from Manzini. His debut album received more love than he anticipated; he was the producer of his album, which scooped him nominations in two categories at the prestigious Tihlabani Awards celebrations in Eswatini. Some of the songs from the album featured in the Best Video and Best Newcomer of the Year categories, where he was crowned ‘The Best Newcomer of the Year’ in 2010.
He was again nominated for the 2010 Glory Awards in the Artist of the Year category. In November 2011, he signed a contract with Mthe’s Music Production, a fast-growing music production company in South Africa and abroad. He joined the likes of Goodman Mgibe, Anderson Matsane, and Themba Mdluli, who are also under the stable of Mthe’s Music Production. His other project, titled ‘NgaNkulunkulu (By My God),’ was recorded live in Manzini at the Christian Media Centre/Jaming House and was released in March 2012.
