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THERE IS NEED FOR GOSPEL WORKSHOPS

21/02/2023 07:26:00 Mxolisi Dlamini

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MBABANE - The Gospel community has urged the provision of workshops to help groom talent in the industry.

The industry continues to be stagnant locally with a few individuals not being able to master their craft, as they may be not well-versed on how they can rightly pursue their career in the industry. Some of the most valued practices when it comes to being an artist locally includes having good behaviour, respect for other people or fans as well as refraining from the abuse of drugs or alcohol since some artists are regarded as ministering in song.

Music Workshops enhance teamwork skills and discipline. In order for a band to sound good, all players must work together harmoniously towards a single goal, the performance, they must commit to learning music, attending rehearsals, and practising.

The Association of Christian Artists in Eswatini (ACAESWA) Public Relations Officer (PRO), Nhlanhla Mathunjwa, shared that they fully support the provision of workshops. “Usually as an association, we have had numerous of workshops through the assistance of the culture council, whereby we hosted various workshops to ensure that our members are capacitated. For us it would be to urge the council to add more workshops and knowledge to the artists.

Artists have to be taught that as much as you can be famous, at the end of the day the people around you and the fans bring you the fame. So what you do cuts to the next person, so in short, we should just learn to respect ourselves and carry out our jobs on the stage with respect. You are not an artist without the people out there, so you need to respect them in everything that you do,” Mathunjwa said.

He went on to comment on the wayward behaviour that is usually seen being exhibited by artists during shows especially when they go for performances locally. “When it comes to us in the Gospel industry, we don’t expect an artist to come to a show drunk. I won’t talk about the other genres, but I will say this on behalf of Gospel artists, you are not expected to be on stage drunk. Secondly, one has to remember that when on stage he or she is preaching. What you are singing has to be the life that you live,” Mathunjwa said.

He went on to say that Gospel artists bring hope to someone who maybe hurt or possibly down emotionally. The person sees them as artist and they ask what kind of life do they live, so your personal life is your true testimony than the words you say. “I for one wouldn’t expect a Gospel artist to go on the stage drunk while known and registered under us. As the Gospel industry, we lead by example so we should be role models to others. For us, it to go on stage, preach, get out of stage and mingle with your fans. With this being said, you are nothing without the people who take their time and come to attend a show where you will be performing, let us respect our fans as artists,” Mathunjwa added.

Experienced

One of the local experienced Gospel artists, who just wrapped up auditions to help aspiring musicians achieve their dreams, also encouraged the provision of workshops locally. This is Nduduzo Matse, who is a multi-award nominee and Best of Africa SABC Crown Gospel Award winner for the year 2017. He has performed globally including; Tanzania, Malawi, Dubai and other places. Locally he recently shared the stage with South African (SA) Gospel artist Takie Ndou and Dr Tumi during a fundraising campaign that was held last year at Mavuso Trade and Exibition Centre.

Matse has been doing workshops since in 2012, having the experience, Matse said the need for workshops is definitely vital. “The need for workshops cannot be satisfied, we are still a developing country, which goes hand in hand with education. We do not stop learning, it’s the same thing in the music industry as there are new trends that need to be learned. Musicians still need to be educated on how to navigate current trends as well as how they become relevant as artists without changing who you are,” Matse said.

“Relevance is another key sector that artists need to be educated on. I have been in the industry for 15 years now and I can confidently say that I am still relevant in the generation. Workshops will help our artists to know how they can successfully build their brand and stay positive and relevant in the industry. Artists are also expected to respect themselves as well as their fans, without the workshops it will be hard for them to achieve this,” added the artist. He further noted that most of the times workshops are prepared locally, but artists fail to attend these workshops yet they want to be successful in the industry.

“God is raising worshippers from local churches and they are becoming brands in the industry. We wish these kinds of people can join the workshops for them to grow. Our artists fail to balance their career, while you lift your head high you still need to keep your feet on the ground. It is important that artists and people in praise and worship teams join the workshops. ‘‘Our artists are full of pride, they do not want to attend workshops yet they do not even know how to earn money with their music. They do not even know the different kinds of royalties that exist in music because they do not want to learn,” Matse said.

Matse went on to share with this publication that he will be conducting a workshop on April. He then invited artists to attend so they can learn. “I will be also there, as I have said that these things keep changing, we will be bringing people who are relevant who will talk about royalties, artists behaviour, growing your brand, working with other artists as well as discipline as an artist. The workshop will be on April 29 at Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre, details on who will be featured are still yet to follow. It will run the whole day,” Matse said.