BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE- “I have taken time to work on an album and it will be worth the wait,”
These were sentiments shared by award winning gospel artist Nothando Hlophe.
Hlophe shared that she has been working on a 10 track album that will be released early next year.
“I have written all my songs and ready to record, the challenge I’m having right now is choosing a recording venue. I’m not sure if I want to do it in the country or South Africa.
I have prepared an amazing body of work for my fans and they can expect nothing but the best,” said Nothando who is also an active ambassador for World Vision Eswatini.
Meanwhile the singer nearly eight years later the ‘Khulula Ugcobo’ hit maker Nothando Hlophe reunited with Zaza Mokhethi who is featured on the song.
The duo gave a stellar performance over the weekend at Carnival City Casino and Entertainment World. They performed the song together after eight years.
This was during the Spirit of Praise all-star reunion which featured gospel giants like Benjamin Dube, Omega, Winnie Mashaba and Dumi Mkostad
Clad in a maroon sequinned gown, paired with feathered heels and Brazilian bob wig, Hlophe made her return to stage with Zaza worthwhile.
From the circulating videos on the internet the reunion was well received by their fans, especially Nothando Hlophe’s fans and followers.
When summing up the performance she said “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you,” said the SWAMA Gospel artist of the year, when addressing her over 40 000 followers on instagram platform.
The song ‘Khulula Ugcobo’ was released eight years ago and it features Women in Praise.
It is currently sitting on 4. 8 million views on YouTube and 21 000 likes. This song marked Hlophe’s entry into the industry.
Her dream to make it in the industry was marred with challenges but her faith kept her going. Her music career instantly changed the moment she was announced the winner of the Women in Praise talent search competition hosted by Umvini Events in conjunction with Spirit Music Group.
In 2015, she joined the Swazi Collaboration. When the opportunity to audition for the Women in Praise project rolled in, she took a leap of faith and quit her job where she had been working at Explicit Design as a PA. That same year, she was nominated three times in the National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA).
She later joined other South African female artists in a concert headlined by Zaza Mokhethi for a live DVD recording of the project in Swaziland. The recording formed part of the ‘Spirit of Praise Volume 6’ live recording in 2016.
Nothando Hlophe is one the new-age gospel artist that Eswatini has ever seen. She has tapped into her rich voice and that has gained her an extensive following.
The number of views that her music video ‘Khulula Ugcobo’ recorded on YouTube has been viewed are an indication that her music is going to a higher level.
In 2008, she joined the Gospel Challenge and out of 400 contestants, she made it to the seventh spot. That same year, she sang with Redeem Child, which was an opening act for Joyous Celebration. It was from there that doors starting opening for her and she was a backing vocalist for Frans T Dlamini, Banele Dlamini and God’s Property.
