Singer, songwriter and producer Gert Smit was depressed, his life was out of control, there were addictions and he realised death was at the end of the road he was on.
The stranger wanted to know where he was going with his life … a conversation which made him rethink his ways and resulted in him changing his life completely.
Today, the 37-year-old born and bred Boksburger lives a successful and fulfilling life as a gospel singer and songwriter.
Gert sings under the name Lig-Weg and he launched his latest gospel CD, Losprys, in January. His debut album, titled Lig-Weg was launched in 2013.
His singing career started in 2000 when he joined the hard rock band iNCH. He wrote songs for the band and they were on the point of launching the band’s debut CD when his life fell apart due to depression and addiction.
It was at this stage when he had the conversation at the bar which changed his life and his singing career. His time with hard rock was over.
“A love for a new genre of music evolved and I started writing gospel music”, he recalls.
The highlight of Gert’s music career was the night when he won the Tempo Award, in 2012, for his song Sy Liefde. “It was the first time a gospel song won an award in the songwriting category,” he says proudly.
“I checked my phone at 2.30pm and saw the messages from the late Danny Anthill of Brettian Productions, congratulating me on the win, and asking me to come and see him as they want to sign me.”
Another highlight was when he signed with Next Muxi. “This meant and still means more to me than any award. When people believe in you to such an extent that they are willing to pump money into what you do it’s an amazing feeling,” Gert states.
After the launch of Losprys, Gert started his own production company, producing music videos for Lig-Weg and other bands.
He wrote the music for Renier Weideman’s new film Gebore Talente which will be released soon and he even managed to wear the actor’s hat with a small role in the film.
Gert’s other passion is fine arts. His work is beautiful, but he refuses to sell any of his canvases.
“I am too sentimental over my paintings. I can’t part with them!” he says.
The handsome gospel singer is happily married to his wife Seugnet, who handles the marketing side of his singing career. The couple has a five-year-old daughter, named Klara.
