MBABANE – Eswatini’s creative excellence was proudly represented at the prestigious Spirit of Praise 12 Live Recording, held on July 18, 2026 at the sold-out SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa.
The powerful Gospel composition ‘Umus’ongaka’ by Eswatini artist Phetsile Masilela became one of the standout moments of the evening.
Performed by renowned Gospel minister Mpumi Mtsweni, the song captivated thousands of worshippers and emerged as one of the memorable highlights of the recording. With its powerful message, spiritual depth and exceptional songwriting, ‘Umus’ongaka’ demonstrated the impact of authentic African Gospel music and the ability of a well-crafted song to connect across borders.
Although Masilela was not the performing artist on the night, the feature of her composition on the Spirit of Praise platform marks a major milestone in her journey as a songwriter, composer and recording artist. The moment shines a spotlight on her creative gift and showcases her contribution to the growth of Gospel music within Africa.
As the original writer and composer of ‘Umus’ongaka’, Masilela receives full recognition and acknowledgement for her creative work, authorship and ownership of the composition. According to Phindokuhle Sithole, the Manager for Nothando Hlophe who was at the live recording, ‘the royalties go back to Masilela.’ This achievement reinforces the importance of recognising songwriters and composers whose creativity forms the foundation of some of the most impactful musical experiences.
The inclusion of ‘Umus’ongaka’ on one of Africa’s most influential Gospel platforms places Eswatini firmly in the spotlight, showcasing the kingdom’s depth of talent, songwriting excellence and ability to produce music that carries a powerful message beyond national borders.
For Masilela, this milestone creates greater visibility for her brand and strengthens her position within the Gospel music industry as an artist and songwriter. The recognition opens new possibilities for collaborations, industry partnerships and further opportunities to share her creative work with wider audiences. “Seeing ‘Umus’ongaka’ ministered on the Spirit of Praise 12 platform is a deeply humbling and emotional moment for me. I wrote this song from a place of worship, with the desire to glorify God and encourage people to trust in His greatness. To witness it touching thousands of lives through this incredible platform is a testimony that when God gives you a song, He also prepares the audience for it. I am grateful to Spirit of Praise, Mpumi Mtsweni for carrying the message with such grace and everyone who has supported this journey since the second version of the song was first released in 2022 and featuring Nothando Dlamini.
“I also appreciate SOP management for doing the right thing and reaching out to me before the recording, which opened a platform for integrity and honesty.
I pray that ‘Umus’ongaka’ continues to inspire hope, strengthen faith and remind people that there is no one greater than our God,” she said.
The success of ‘Umus’ongaka’ at Spirit of Praise 12 is a proud moment for Eswatini’s music industry and a celebration of the talent emerging from the kingdom.
It reflects the growing influence of Eswatini’s creatives and the importance of nurturing, protecting and celebrating original works that have the power to inspire generations.
As audiences await the official release of Spirit of Praise 12, ‘Umus’ongaka’ already stands as a contribution to the recording, celebrating the brilliance of Masilela as a songwriter and highlighting Eswatini’s growing presence on Africa’s Gospel music stage.
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