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The journey of Joyous Celebration

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For 22 years, multi award-winning and record-setting gospel ensemble Joyous Celebration has given its fans and supporters messages of hope and love through their music. As they complete a successful nationwide tour for their 22nd album, we chat to its co-founders Lindelani Mkhizwe, Jabu Hlongwane and Mthunzi Namba about their journey and life on the road.

What was the first instrument you played as a child, or the first song you sang in church?

JABU HLONGWANE: It was a guitar. The first song was probably What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

MTHUNZI NAMBA: The first instrument I played, which was self-taught, was an acoustic guitar, and the first song I played was To God Be the Glory.

LINDELANI MKHIZE: When music is a calling, everything you come across that makes a sound just awakens the musician in you. I would create rhythm with anything and everything I could hit sticks with and complement it with a vocal melody. At times, it would be hard to believe I was a self-taught drummer when I got into the zone. But the first song [laughs] I sang was Ndiyathokoza nam at Sunday school.

Do you have a funny or fond memory of going on tour with Joyous Celebration?

JABU HLONGWANE: We were performing at The Market theatre in our early years. Mthunzi hid one of my shoes. I was about to go on stage to do my song when I realised that one shoe was missing. I went behind the curtains and asked Thabo Mdluli [who was singing in the choir] to take off his shoes. As Mthunzi was playing the introduction to my song for the fourth time, curiously waiting to see what I would look like with the situation about the shoes, I emerged with Thabo’s boots on and performed. He could not believe the plan I had manoeuvred in such a short space of time to salvage what could have been a crazy predicament.

MTHUNZI NAMBA: We were on tour around the Eastern Cape … the whole crew was travelling by bus and they were already ahead of us. The three of us – Lindelani, Jabu and myself – were in a car travelling from East London. The driver of the car was Jabs. I was in the front passenger seat and Lindelani was in the back. Jabu tried to overtake the car in front of us and there was a truck coming towards us. Yoh, the captivated driver had to speed up to make the space, otherwise we would’ve been squashed. Lindelani, who was in the back seat, kept screaming: “Awe Mah, nakhu sizofa bo. Heyi Jabu, nyathela bo!” We made it back into our lane just in time. We then came up with a plan. We met a friend of ours who is a medical doctor and we told him about our near-death experience. We told him we wanted to prank the crew and that he must put old bandages on our heads, hands and legs, pretending as if we were involved in an accident and we had to be rushed to hospital for attention. Everyone was sad and some almost cried.

LINDELANI MKHIZE: Is it a funny story? I don’t know, but that story in the Bible about how Jesus fed 5 000 people with two fish and five loaves of bread comes to mind. I remember how, when we started out, we would use money from gate takings to buy food for the crew. There was a time we collected R480 at the door in Port Elizabeth and used it to buy food for about 35 people.

Who inspires you musically?

JABU HLONGWANE: Stevie Wonder, Sting, Chick Corea, Djavan, Bobby McFerrin and Richard Bona, to mention but a few.

MTHUNZI NAMBA: The Holy Spirit.

LINDELANI MKHIZE: I’m inspired by a lot of people, but Quincy Jones stands out for me for his work ethic and how he applies himself to different music genres. I’m also inspired by the energy and creative rebellion of new and young artists who are not afraid to do what has not been done before. There are young artists under my mentorship who inspire me because of the new ideas they bring on board. [These ideas] ultimately help me keep abreast of what is possible out there, which, in turn, evokes ideas of creating fresh offerings for our audiences, to remain pioneers in the music fraternity.

What can’t you travel without when going on tour?

JABU HLONGWANE: My iPad (with all my reading and writing content). Everything else can be easily obtained.

MTHUNZI NAMBA: My iPad and my Bible.

LINDELANI MKHIZE: I definitely can’t travel without my sneakers!

What’s most difficult when going on tour?

JABU HLONGWANE: Nothing! I enjoy going on tour and the different experiences it brings to our lives.

MTHUNZI NAMBA: Making a decision about what to pack or carry and what not to.

LINDELANI MKHIZE: It’s been 22 years and you’d think I’d be used to being away from my family, but I’m not. I still find it difficult to be away from them and sometimes I feel homesick as soon as the curtain comes down.

Which former member who has graduated from Joyous Celebration makes you really proud and why?

JABU HLONGWANE: It has to be Nqubeko and Ntokozo. They were the most respectful, most musically curious people we have had and they learnt everything we offered. They never complained or demanded anything. They never had a sense of entitlement about anything. They are the most successfully launched careers we have ever had.

MTHUNZI NAMBA: Ntokozo Mbambo-Mbatha because she and her husband, Nqubeko, are hard-working. They are also trying to become the best tools in the hand of the 
Lord.

LINDELANI MKHIZE: Two names come to mind: Nqubeko Mbatha and Siya Mthethwa. People often look at the choir and overlook where the music comes from. I have respect for musicians, and both Mbatha and Mthethwa have done well as the Joyous Celebration band members and musicians. They are currently among the best music producers and directors.

What are your fondest musical memories? In your house? In your community? With your family?

JABU HLONGWANE: Writing songs and recording them with Pastor Mthunzi Namba at BOP and DownTown Studios, and working on a music project with my kids.

MTHUNZI NAMBA: In my house, it’s when I’ve written a song. I’d call my wife, Tis, and my daughters, Asanda and Awethu, and play it for them and wait for their input, criticism or appreciation. When it comes to my community, it excites me when I see young musicians who are working hard and remaining unique.

LINDELANI MKHIZE: I have always enjoyed the sound of raw and unrefined music.

How do you handle mistakes during a performance?

JABU HLONGWANE: By simply moving on from the mistake. I once fell on stage during a song. I simply picked myself up while singing and continued.

MTHUNZI NAMBA: I continue as if nothing wrong has happened. That’s being a professional!

LINDELANI MKHIZE: [Chuckles] ... and mistakes do happen. People often ask: ‘What is Mkhize doing there in the front?’ I’m there to ensure that, as mistakes happen, they can be corrected before they’re noticed. There’s a lot of communication that takes place among us, so when I am seen to be dancing avidly and raising my hands to conduct the choir, it’s not just about the enjoyment of the melody, but also to deliver a flawless show. It is what our fans and supporters want to experience after all.

Outside of gospel, what is your favourite local song at the moment?

JABU HLONGWANE: Akanamali by Sun-EL featuring Samthing Soweto.

MTHUNZI NAMBA: Mhlaba Wethu by Brenda Mtambo.

LINDELANI MKHIZE: I want to begin with the appreciation of how gospel music has evolved and diversified. I enjoy Dr Tumi and Khaya Mthethwa’s music. I recently attended former MTN Joyous Celebration member Puleng March’s recording and I was blown away. Outside of gospel music, I really enjoy Sjava’s music. His style is authentic, and his lyrics are relatable to all South Africans.

What does the future hold for Joyous Celebration?

JABU HLONGWANE: I don’t think we know and we are okay with it. We will keep going as long as we have God spurring us on and South Africans embracing us like they do now.

MTHUNZI NAMBA: Well, it’s all in the hands of our Heavenly Father. He is the Master.

LINDELANI MKHIZE: We had a vision from the beginning of this ensemble, and, over the years, we have stayed true to that. We have unearthed raw talent, nurtured it and allowed individuals to soar on their own. We are about producing fresh sounds to cater for our fans. We believe we have done this right over the years and, if we keep true to this vision, we are looking at an even brighter future.

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