Lifestyle

Culture Spears to perform at SA Gospel Experience

Culture Spears
 
Culture Spears

Whilst local artists have found it tough to penetrate the South African market and enjoy consistent bookings, Culture Spears has been among the few, if not the only one, regularly booked to perform in the neighbouring country. During the show, Culture Spears will feature alongside big names in South African gospel music such as Dr Winnie Mashaba, Lebo Sekgobela, Worship House, Bafana Ba Sebesho, to name just a few. In an interview with Arts&Culture, Culture Spears’ founding member and lead singer, Kabelo Mogwe, said they are happy to have been booked to perform at “one of the biggest shows” in South Africa. He said that for Culture Spears to continue getting bookings across borders pays testimony to their international appeal. “This is one of the biggest shows in Limpopo. The lineup itself tells you how big this show is, and we are happy to be a part of it. This shows the strong impact our music has made and the international appeal it continues to carry. We are one among the many big international gospel artists who will perform on the day,” Mogwe said.

He explained that Culture Spears fit perfectly in gospel shows, saying that although they are not a gospel group and their songs are not explicitly religious, they do carry spiritual undertones or could be interpreted as having a religious appeal. “We have songs that carry the gospel, but above all, we believe that our music breaks genre boundaries; they are more like traditional hymns,” he added. Mogwe further asserted that since the first time they performed in South Africa over 10 years ago, it has become their second home. “South Africans like our music a lot, and as such, we feel at home when we perform there. We have been invited to perform at various important functions and events, performing to big crowds there over the years,” he added.

While traditional music's popularity has dwindled over the years, Culture Spears remain one of the successful stories, being a powerful force both locally and regionally. Although the group was shaken up by the departure of some of its key members along the way, especially Charma Gal, Mogwe said they have remained strong. He said they continue to get recognised in other Southern African countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Lesotho, and Swaziland.