Patience Bambalele

Patience Bambalele

Even the extremely hot weather in Mthatha couldn't stop gospel fans from flocking to the Umhlobo Wenene Cell C Gospel Festival.

Hungry for spiritual music, the crowd started queueing at the Khaya Majola Oval Stadium from 9am on Saturday. It was sold out.

The festival had a great line-up of established and new gospel musicians. There was more than enough good music for fans and they were not complaining.

The festival featured Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Ncandweni Christ Ambassadors, Lusanda Spiritual Group, Sechaba Pali, Malibongwe Gcwabe, Bulela M, Ngceke Gospel Project, Bethusile Mcinga, Blessed Men and Sibongile Gece.

It started right on time with developing bands Sibongile Gece, Blessed Men, Bethusile Mcinga, Ngceke Gospel Project and Bulela M taking to the stage.

Some of the entertainers gave exciting performances while others bored people. Malibongwe Gcwabe and Ngceke Gospel Project really shook the crowd with their energetic moves.

The festival became more exciting as Pali, who is fast becoming the bad boy of gospel, took to the stage. The man who did not pitch up at the same festival in Botshabelo, Welkom, two weeks ago made up for the mess. He had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand.

Other artists who gave good performances were Lusanda Spiritual Group and Hlengiwe Mhlaba.

The concert was wrapped up in style by the Swaziland gospel group, Ncandweni Christ Ambassadors.

This popular outfit has been collecting awards this year as if they were going out of fashion.

As has become the norm, they did not disappoint the crowd. Overall, the festival was a great success.