A JOYOUS NIGHT
Khabara experiences life changing moment at gospel night
It has been a couple of days since, 24-year-old, Onalenna Thato Makuku received some life changing news. Makuku who hails from Thamaga is fondly called ‘Khabara’ when he is on stage testifying about the greatness of the Almighty.
Soft spoken and shy even, Khabara is still relishing the big moment when he not only shared the stage with one of the biggest Gospel concepts in the African continent, Joyous Celebration, but that the choir was his back-up on his maiden performance on the big stage. The occasion was none other than the Life Changing Concert with Joyous Celebration this past weekend. This once in a lifetime opportunity was made possible by the main sponsor of the event, Botswana Post, who made a call for local performers to comment with their videos.
The event is an annual extravaganza, a concept that sees local company, Brave Heart and Joyous Celebration working together. This year marked the seventh edition of the event.
Sharing the story of how he clinched the big opportunity, Makuku explains that he only entered in the final hours of the competition. In the video that he shared, the young man appears as if he is just singing for his friends, and didn’t think much about what he was doing. For someone who honed his singing skills during assembly time back in school this was indeed a big moment. On the big day, when he took to the stage, he appeared to be hesitant.
Performing ‘Jeso rato la hao,’ he started off slow, building up the tempo and the momentum. And then he soon exploded into something that literally brought the roof of the UB Indoor Sports Arena down.
Heavens literally descended on the venue. As he built up the courage to hit the high notes, his confidence also grew. By the time he was done, it almost felt as if he had been performing on big stages for a while.
Speaking in an interview with The Midweek Sun, the young lad explained that he chose this song because it speaks about being a servant of God, and that indeed he believes that he is ready to do the Lord’s work.
“I am ready to do his work and be his servant,” he said.
Makuku said he received the news that he was selected on Friday, a day before the event. “I was very surprised as I didn’t expect that I would be selected,” he said.
It took him a while to process the news, even going as far as trying to verify the identity of the person who called to give him the news.
“This is a dream come true,” he said. For someone who has been listening to Joyous Celebration for a while, and then being backed by the band on stage was a life altering moment.
Detailing the big day, he explained that on Saturday, he had the opportunity to rehearse and interact with the group. They received him warmly, and guided him on how to go about his performance.
“It is by the grace of God that I received this opportunity,” he said, highlighting that he hopes that it will open more doors for him. According to Makuku, during the rehearsals, the band encouraged him to think about the bigger picture.
“They asked me to give them what I can do, and we put everything together. What you saw on Saturday night was the magic that we created,” he said, adding that they also gave him a pep talk on how he can deal with nerves. He admitted being nervous, but that he soon relaxed and enjoyed his performance.
“The welcome that Batswana showered me with also encouraged me. They showed me love,” he said, noting that this event has shown him that he is on the right track in his music.
For the big night, he had family representatives who were present to see him on stage, including Lyon Konkonyane, and Maungo Mosaunyane. Meanwhile, when he is not on stage, or practising his high notes, he worships with Gates of Salvation (Evangelist Tshepo Ministries), and now looks set to record his debut album.
Once done with his performance, one of the founders of Joyous Celebration, Lindelani Mkhize took to the stage to sing praises about him.
He also shared with the audience how Makuku reminds him of Psalmist Sefako who has come a long way in his journey with Joyous. Mkhize called on Psalmist Sefako to take Makuku under his wing and mentor, as well as show him the ropes.