One of the artists, Hlengiwe Mhlaba, will be there entertaining the audience during the festival

“The idea behind the festival is to create a platform for local artists to showcase their talent, with the view of creating a market for their music,” said Gofa’s managing director, George Phororo Mthethwa. Mthethwa is the former executive producer at Nelspruit’s Radio News. He further said: “Nkomazi is rich in gospel music singers and the majority of them have already released albums but they don’t have a good market due to the lack of resources. Lack of activities, such as festivals and concerts, rob them of the opportunity to promote their music and make a living out of it. As a result some lose hope and vanish into oblivion, allowing their talents to go to waste.

Lack of facilities such as proper halls and stadiums also contributes to the entire situation,” he said. Gospel singers such as Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Doni Ngwenyama, Ian Hhongwane, Moses ‘Big Moss’ Mahlalela, Gospel Defenders, Well of Life, Sakhamuzi and Bulunga Gospel Group will perform during the festival.

Mthgethwa has revealed that the success of his maiden festival will determine whether there is a need for it to become an annual event in which more and more local artists will be roped in to share the stage with established artists. He has further requested gospel music lovers to be on the lookout for more details in the local media as the countdown begins.