Sekgobela goes back to basics
Gospel artist will be lighting up stage with hymns
Lebo Sekgobela, the reigning queen of gospel switches up the game on herlatest outing.
Sekgobela is expected to fill up Hope Restoration Ministries church at Chloorkop, near Kempton Park on March 8, when she records an album with a difference.
She takes it back to basics with hymns that for decades carried worship in traditional churches.
The messages galvanised the spiritual movement of days gone by and in these days of popular choruses, hymns from Lifela tsa Sione and Hosanna have been relegated to obscurity, and Sekgobela brings them centre stage next month.
She credits her grandmother for instilling the love for hymns at a young age.
“My slogan is ‘singing hymns the old way to a new generation’.
“These hymns have carried our mothers, our fathers, our grandparents, siste s and brothers through life and we sing them because they have a message that sustains us.
“I m excited about Hymns will’ also shar e lnewr hymns. and Worship on March 8. Yes I will be singing o d hymns, but God granted me the grace to be able to write them.”
She says the Hymns and Worship is inspired by the realisation that she related well with hymns and felt how they truly ministered in her life.
“I’d like to share this experience with my fans and people who just love Lebo Sekgobela’s music.
“I can never do a set without hymns. They have helped me to stay rooted in my music. And also spending time in different churches like Anglican, Methodist, Uniting Reformed, I found myself ministering to different people and never looking at the denomination, but to me they are the body of Christ and that has helped me toa llow those influences to get into my music and keep my interest in hymns going.
Sekgobela shares that hymns have helped her grow and groomed her into the woman she has become.
“It’s going to be an atmosphere of worship and spiritual fulfilment. A lot of people have come up to me to share about how certain hymns reminded them of thei rl ate parents or grandparents. They hold a significant meaning and have carried them through different situations and this shows how hymns remain an anchor in Christian faith.”
Hope Restoration Ministries is the same venue where she recorded the career-making Lion of Judah and she couldn’t be happier for going back.
“I feel blessed to go back. It’s home to me and the stage is welcoming, so I will just be at home.”
Sekgobela says unlike her previous projects, this recording will result in an album only and won’t be accompanied by a DVD. She plans to release it in time for Easter.
Sekgobela has had a great run since the mega hit single Lion of Judah in 2016 and has remained consistent with gospel music that wins her new fans with every release
If it’s not he r powerful vocals that move mountains and shatters windows, it’s her undeniable stage presence.
He rl ast album Umusa was recorded at Rhema Bible Church in Randburg, Johannesburg. She says it’s still ap roject she is proud of, but Hymns and Worship is much closer to her heart and personal.
She has a few surprises on the night including Worshippers Unleashed with Lebo Sekgobela, a new group of singers she is mentoring. And after her backing vocalists search, she will be showing them off.
“The songs are amazing, and it may happen that I have the anointing to sing 20 songs, so I don’t know exactly how many we will record on the night.”
‘‘ These hymns have carried our parents through life