Phalaborwa gospel group nominated for SAMA
Phalaborwa is rising and shining with the nominations to the biggest music awards, the South African Music Awards (SAMA), of a gospel group from the ‘In Zion of Christ Church’ (IZC) in Namakgale.
The gospel group was nominated on Thursday, April 25, under the best African Indigenous Faith Album Category.
They were nominated for their Izinyembezi album, which was recorded in September 2018, with 17 songs on it.
The awards will take place in May 31, at Suncity.
The manager of IZC gospel group, Zanda Mabuza, told PHALABORWA HERALD that the group was started in 2016 with the idea of putting Phalaborwa on the proverbial map.
Before they started the group, they were singing at funerals, weddings and parties and were receiving compliments from the public who seemed to like their style of singing.
They then decided to form a church choir by selecting only the best singers from the church.
“The group is dominated by Phalaborwa young residents from all areas, and we all meet at the IZC church in Namakgale.
We do not use any instrument for our music, we only sing, thus using only our voices,” Zanda said.
Izinyembezi is their first album to be nominated for the SAMA awards.
The album features the compilation of the very best of IZC volume 1, which is led by Joseph Mabuza commonly known as ‘RJ’.
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“Izinyembezi is a message from a Bible verse quoted from Psalms,” he explained.
Zanda stated that their music also appears on Dumisa TV, channel 340 on DSTV.
“It means a lot for us to be nominated for the SAMA awards, it shows that we are on the right track.
We are adding value and contributing positively to the public,” Zanda expressed his feeling of being nominated.
He also mentioned that the choir is full of youngsters in order to keep them from doing unsavoury activities, and that they are showing them the brighter side of life by keeping them busy with singing.
“I would like to convey a message of appreciation to our supporters for the great support they have given us.
Especially Phalaborwa residents.
I would like to thank the parents of the choir members for giving us an opportunity to work with their children.
It takes a lot of energy to compile the music as we do not have instruments, so we must create a song out of nothing.
We thank the parents for trusting us with their children,” Zanda explained.
Zanda further invited every gospel group or anyone with talent like in poetry or gospel rap, to join them in celebrating their SAMA nomination at In Zion of Christ Church in Namakgale next to Nthabiseng Special School on June 15, and that the material will be taken to Dumisa TV.
Anyone who is interested may contact Zanda Mabuza on 076-983-2011, or follow their Facebook page on InZionOfChrist and Twitter @InZionOfChrist.
