Gospel giants converge on Baobab

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Thursday August 12, 2010 00:00

The line-up is simply mouthwatering, as it includes Phempheretlhe Pheto, Matheke Leteane, Mmereki Marakakgoro as well as Dzwitiki herself.

Other musicians billed for the event, which kicksoff at 11 am till late, are: Odirile Meshack, Obakeng Sengwaketse, Sis Carol, Mkhukhu, and many others.

The 38-year-old Dzwitiki is relatively new to the recording industry though she has always sung in church.  She has told Showbiz that it was an honour for such big names to agree to launch her album, Tshepo Yaka, which was released late last year.

'This day has been eluding us for some time because the launched could have been done some time back, but some pressing family matters and business commitments have forced us to shift it this far. But it does not matter anymore because I managed to get the big guys after all to come and help me.   We are planning to make it a big day for everyone,' Dzwitiki told Showbiz.

According to her and her manager Sengwaketse, the event will be live with all the groups playing with instruments instead of using CDs.

'We really want to make it memorable and any musician who wants to take part should go and rehearse with a live band because strictly no CDs at this show.  People who would come deserve their money's worth,' Sengwaketse said.

Although her album has only sold around 1000 copies since its release, Dzwikiti was optimistic that the sales would go up after the launch, saying a national tour was already on the cards.

'I have not really introduced it and myself to the masses and this is the chance for people to come and see what I and my band can do and it does not end there, we will be going on a national tour to do promotions even in front of stores if necessary. I am happy that people like Phempheretlhe and Leteane were willing to come forward. They have a big fan base and this gives me an opportunity to impress in front of a bigger audience and hopefully turn some of those people into my own fans,' she said.

Dzwikiti conceded that meeting up with young Sengwaketse inspired her to go into the recording industry and initially she thought she was not good enough to go commercial, hence her late arrival.

'He (Sengwaketse) made me believe more in myself and the fact that I could sing for a bigger audience than just the church congregation.  Since then I feel like a gospel musician should just go on until he or she cannot stand up anymore.

I have also realised that the older generation of gospel musicians had taken the backseat and I do not want to end there. Even if my albums do not do well I believe I should keep on doing it because there will be that small number of people that I will touch with my message every time I release an album,' she said.