34-YR PERSERVERANCE KEPT ME ON STAGE – REBECCA

MANZINI – Multi award- winning Gospel artist Rebecca Malope said these words after her thrilling performance at ‘Yiba Nemusa Simakadze’ crossover that was held at Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre on New Year’s Eve.

The crossover was presented by Kufeziwe Communications, a local Gospel production and events management stable. The event featured South African (SA) giant musicians Rebecca Malope and Thinah Zungu as well as local artists such as Nduduzo Matse, Nothando Dlamini, Linda Dlamini, Ndawonye Christ Worshipers, Shongwe and Khuphuka Saved Group, Shiba and the Travellers as well as Phathwakahle, to name a few. The event came as a call for the entire Christian fraternity to crossover to 2023 in prayer for the nation.

The show started at 8:30pm yet the starting time was 6pm. Gospel lovers showed up in numbers to crossover to the new year in prayer with the SA musicians as well as local artists. The Programme Director of the crossover was Pamela ‘Figurebelt’ Zwane from Voice of the Church (VOC) radio station. She took to the stage at 8:30pm and made a request to artists who were already present at the venue to avail themselves near the stage so that the show could start.

Performance

She co-hosted the show with celebrated comedians Gogo and S’lwane who gave exclusive entertainment to Gospel fans after every performance delivered by an artist. The show was kicked off by local Gospel artist Scara Maziya, who drew fans from the stands to the front of the stage area. Although the rain poured frequently, it didn’t deter Gospel fans from having fun as they brought their umbrellas while some just enjoyed themselves in the rain without umbrellas.

Local artists such Phathwakahle, Nduduzo Matse, Shongwe and Khuphuka Saved Group, Shiba and the Travellers, Xoli Kunene, Ndawonye Gospel Group, Linda Dlamini, Bishop Gcina Masuku, Nothando Dlamini, Mzuzwana and R4 gave their best on stage. They all performed with passion and love for their craft as they also engaged with the fans during their captivating performances. As for the two SA Gospel giants, Thinah Zungu was the first to perform at 9pm after Scara Maziya’s opening performance. Zungu performed for 45 minutes and left soon after his performance, he shared with this publication that he was rushing to another show in Johannesburg.

Before leaving he gave a brief interview after his performance, narrating that he felt honoured to be in the country. “I am very honoured to be part of the crossover, it’s been almost two years since I came to Eswatini but I am here now and people are excited and welcoming. I am here because the love has inspired me to be here, Eswatini is my second home, so I will be coming here regularly from time to time. When people sing along to my songs, the love just blossoms from within and that humbles me.”

Rebecca Malope performed after midnight, following Linda Dlamini at 12:20am. She started singing while she was behind the stage and the fans were screaming after hearing her unique vocals. She kicked off her performance with her song ‘Ngibe Muhle Nami’ which got some fans emotional while also excited to see her. Her performance was a marvel to watch as she brought her two dancers on stage to take turns in showcasing their dance moves to the fans while she was performing. She too had so much to show for her fans as she would dance and lie down on the stage entertaining the fans. At some pointing time during her performance, she brought local artist Linda Dlamini on stage holding hands while singing together. Her performance lasted for over an hour. In an interview after her performance she wished emaSwati a happy new year, she also shared with this publication what has kept her going in her career.

Perseverance

“Happy New Year to the people of Eswatini may God bless everyone even during this year. God has blessed me so much with love and I am so happy. I praise God and I love God. For the year 2023  you can expect me singing for you if God has given me a beautiful message. Perseverance has kept me for 34 years on stage. Being you and original is the only way to have it all, do not doubt the talent that God has given you. What you are doing right now is what God has called you to do. Do not even compare yourself to somebody else, so what kept me going is being me and not being shy with what God has given me. My talent as well, as this voice is known in many countries, I was never shy about it. I didn’t want to sound like somebody else, I wanted to sound like me and I didn’t doubt what God has given me,” Malope said.

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