Sowetan

Persistenc­e pays off for Mvuselelo Radebe

- Dimakatso Motau Entertainm­ent Reporter Bambelela. Crux, Shell Road to Fame, Lion King Want To Sing Gospel, Grace omo. Bambelela, Your Ke Yena wa Math- motaud@sowetan.co.za

IT IS not good to be viewed as a talent show competitio­n reject, but Mvuselelo Radebe has risen above what many may consider failure to eventually release his debut album

The married father of three knows only too well the pain of not advancing to the next stage of a singing competitio­n after he did not make it a couple of times.

“Since my days back home in Vrede, I’ve entered the

the singing competitio­ns and never made it into the top five. These experience­s broke my heart but I never doubted my talent because as the pastor’s son, I was told that everything happens in God’s timing.”

Radebe adds that being persistent and always working on his music, whether at church or with friends when he formed a gospel group called Walking Ground, kept him motivated.

“I’m glad my hard work paid off at the end,” he explains.

Radebe did eventually make it to the top five of one competitio­n, I

which put him in the spotlight.

Though he did not win the competitio­n, he made enough of an impression to be able to record and release his debut album earlier this year through Blessed Music. Some of the songs to look out for on the CD include title track

and

On the show in 2011, being the oldest contestant at 36 seemed to work against him. But he capitalise­d on it by coaching younger singers.

“I was not bothered because I knew that I was learning something from the young contestant­s as much as they were also learning from me. Through the competitio­n I saw that I have great support and my album is for my fans and the support they gave me,” he says.

When not performing, Radebe sings in a local church band. He’s grateful for the support of his wife, Busa. –

 ??  ?? DEDICATED: Gospel singer Mvuselelo Radebe is
finally living his
dream
DEDICATED: Gospel singer Mvuselelo Radebe is finally living his dream

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