Lebo Sekgobela rules the roost in gospel music. All the facts and numbers point to the fact that she is the reigning queen of gospel.
Her newest album Restored has earned her the enviable place as the only woman to be nominated in the upcoming Crown Gospel Music Awards for Best Gospel Artist against established names in the genre such as Dumi Mkokstad, Andile Kamajola and Sfiso Ncwane.
In the Best Gospel Song her runaway hit Lion of Judah is pitted against Lamathambo Asengaphila by Andile Kamajola, Khulula Ugcobo by Women in Praise, Phonsan'umnatha Ngasekunene by Butho and Yolanda Vuthela and Nothing Without You by Dr Tumi.
In the Best Gospel Female Artist category Sekgobela is up against Deborah Fraser, Winnie Mashaba and Mahalia Buchanan.
The self-taught musician is sitting at the top of the Musica charts as the best selling album and is inching ever so close to the elusive platinum status of 40000 copies. All proof that the songbird from the Vaal is finally soaring with the eagles, thanks to the album she recorded live at Hope Restoration Ministries church in Chloorkop near Kempton Park.
She is in campaign mode when she walks into our Rosebank offices, sporting a promotional white T-shirt urging fans to vote for her to win.
"I'm still pushing the votes on social media and having outreach programmes and performances. I'm grateful to my family - I don't call them fans - for voting and their words of encouragement," she says.
She tells me that her journey has been long. All this success comes with her fifth album. Sekgobela attributes this to finding her voice and purpose.
"When you get into the music industry you sing whatever there is, just to belong. But the moment you find yourself, you sing with better understanding. You start afresh. I have not only been restored musically but also in my life," Sekgobela says.
Her piercing voice that hits the notes effortlessly is so powerful and fuelled by the relative success of her last album By His Grace for which she recorded a live CD and DVD. She says she wanted to record Restored live too.
"You know, being independent and taking charge of the direction gives you confidence to do what you like. The singing is more alive with understanding and you can communicate with your audience."
The recording was at a full house at the 2500-capacity venue, something that stunned her.
"It was packed, and this was not even in the Vaal, my home, but in Kempton Park. It also rained on the day, I suppose showers of blessings."
Sekgobela's brand of gospel hinges mostly on hymns from Lifela tsa Sione and the Hosanna hymn book she sang from at school.
"I love hymns like an old woman. But, seriously, I love the message of hymns like Ke Ngwana Hao and Le Mo Tsebe ke Modimo ... There's something about Lifela tsa Sione. They pierce the heart. Perhaps we Basotho love to sing. They make you understand yourself. There's a hymn for every situation."
However, Lion of Judah, the song that would change her fortunes, was written by Matthews Matsetse, a musician she met in Botswana.
"It's an amazing song," she gushes. "I didn't know that people would love it this much. We did not know there would be so much anointing, it's the grace of God."
She says the accolades the song is receiving have humbled her.
"It gives me the assurance that God is love and all glory to him. I'm also nominated with great people and it shows that perseverance and hard work do pay. We should not undermine small beginnings."
Restored has hit songs like Ntate Lerato La Hao, O Morati Ya Nthatang, Sefapanong Ke Bohang and Theko Ya Lona that are all inspiring and delivered with emotional precision.
The main theme of the release is the celebration of God's love.
"Regardless of our faults and wrongs we need to know that God loves us and no one can tell the depth of His love.
"I saw this in my own life. My mother was a domestic worker. I could never find this love from her because of her work commitments, but God saw me through".
Sekgobela says she has been humbled by God's favour even in her career.
"I don't think my voice is any special. It's a gift like everyone who has the talent, but the grace of God has enhanced it to a point that when I minister, the message is delivered."
How does she fancy her chances at the Crowns?
"It's been my year but I need to work harder. This is the beginning of great things. I'm going to be where God wants me to be. I trust Him and his plans that he will never fail me.
"It's unbelievable to have an album on top of the charts for the past four months.
"It took me five albums and this is testament that if you have a dream, you can never quit," she adds.
l The Crown Gospel Music Awards are scheduled for November 27 at the Durban ICC and will be broadcast live on SABC2 from 7.30pm
mofokengl@sowetan.co.za
Lebo Sekgobela praises God's grace
Lebo Sekgobela rules the roost in gospel music. All the facts and numbers point to the fact that she is the reigning queen of gospel.
Her newest album Restored has earned her the enviable place as the only woman to be nominated in the upcoming Crown Gospel Music Awards for Best Gospel Artist against established names in the genre such as Dumi Mkokstad, Andile Kamajola and Sfiso Ncwane.
In the Best Gospel Song her runaway hit Lion of Judah is pitted against Lamathambo Asengaphila by Andile Kamajola, Khulula Ugcobo by Women in Praise, Phonsan'umnatha Ngasekunene by Butho and Yolanda Vuthela and Nothing Without You by Dr Tumi.
In the Best Gospel Female Artist category Sekgobela is up against Deborah Fraser, Winnie Mashaba and Mahalia Buchanan.
The self-taught musician is sitting at the top of the Musica charts as the best selling album and is inching ever so close to the elusive platinum status of 40000 copies. All proof that the songbird from the Vaal is finally soaring with the eagles, thanks to the album she recorded live at Hope Restoration Ministries church in Chloorkop near Kempton Park.
She is in campaign mode when she walks into our Rosebank offices, sporting a promotional white T-shirt urging fans to vote for her to win.
"I'm still pushing the votes on social media and having outreach programmes and performances. I'm grateful to my family - I don't call them fans - for voting and their words of encouragement," she says.
She tells me that her journey has been long. All this success comes with her fifth album. Sekgobela attributes this to finding her voice and purpose.
"When you get into the music industry you sing whatever there is, just to belong. But the moment you find yourself, you sing with better understanding. You start afresh. I have not only been restored musically but also in my life," Sekgobela says.
Her piercing voice that hits the notes effortlessly is so powerful and fuelled by the relative success of her last album By His Grace for which she recorded a live CD and DVD. She says she wanted to record Restored live too.
"You know, being independent and taking charge of the direction gives you confidence to do what you like. The singing is more alive with understanding and you can communicate with your audience."
The recording was at a full house at the 2500-capacity venue, something that stunned her.
"It was packed, and this was not even in the Vaal, my home, but in Kempton Park. It also rained on the day, I suppose showers of blessings."
Sekgobela's brand of gospel hinges mostly on hymns from Lifela tsa Sione and the Hosanna hymn book she sang from at school.
"I love hymns like an old woman. But, seriously, I love the message of hymns like Ke Ngwana Hao and Le Mo Tsebe ke Modimo ... There's something about Lifela tsa Sione. They pierce the heart. Perhaps we Basotho love to sing. They make you understand yourself. There's a hymn for every situation."
However, Lion of Judah, the song that would change her fortunes, was written by Matthews Matsetse, a musician she met in Botswana.
"It's an amazing song," she gushes. "I didn't know that people would love it this much. We did not know there would be so much anointing, it's the grace of God."
She says the accolades the song is receiving have humbled her.
"It gives me the assurance that God is love and all glory to him. I'm also nominated with great people and it shows that perseverance and hard work do pay. We should not undermine small beginnings."
Restored has hit songs like Ntate Lerato La Hao, O Morati Ya Nthatang, Sefapanong Ke Bohang and Theko Ya Lona that are all inspiring and delivered with emotional precision.
The main theme of the release is the celebration of God's love.
"Regardless of our faults and wrongs we need to know that God loves us and no one can tell the depth of His love.
"I saw this in my own life. My mother was a domestic worker. I could never find this love from her because of her work commitments, but God saw me through".
Sekgobela says she has been humbled by God's favour even in her career.
"I don't think my voice is any special. It's a gift like everyone who has the talent, but the grace of God has enhanced it to a point that when I minister, the message is delivered."
How does she fancy her chances at the Crowns?
"It's been my year but I need to work harder. This is the beginning of great things. I'm going to be where God wants me to be. I trust Him and his plans that he will never fail me.
"It's unbelievable to have an album on top of the charts for the past four months.
"It took me five albums and this is testament that if you have a dream, you can never quit," she adds.
l The Crown Gospel Music Awards are scheduled for November 27 at the Durban ICC and will be broadcast live on SABC2 from 7.30pm
mofokengl@sowetan.co.za
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