Joyous Celebration is a South African Gospel choral group that started in 1994 following the outcome of South Africa’s most famous election. What was supposed to be a onetime studio project for South African performers has turned into a huge stage for the next generation of musicians. From around 2017 onwards, the choir has had great success in South Africa and other African countries as it delivered 21 collections. It is one of South Africa’s best gospel choral groups, imitating the likes of The Soweto Gospel Choir.

Joyous Celebration’s music is a fusion of African gospel and modern Christian songs. There are often lively choral arrangements, accompanied by powerful voices and inspiring lyrics, in their songs. Popular gospel producers in South Africa, Lindelani Mkhize, Jabu Hlongwane, and Mthunzi Namba, founded the choir. ‘MTN Joyous Celebration’ is the name of the choir since they are being sponsored by Giant Telecommunications Network MTN. Past sponsors include “Old Mutual” and others from South Africa’s media sector. Thirty to thirty-five singers and a six-to eight-piece band normally make up the choir. Typically, there are eight to ten sopranos, eight to ten contraltos, and ten to thirteen tenors. The creators arrange many auditions in an effort to rotate vocalists frequently and provide others with the same opportunity and exposure.

The majority of vocalists work with the choir for one to five years, but some stay longer—past singers like Ntokozo Mbambo, the choir’s former musical director Nqubeko Mbatha, and lead guitarist Msizi Mashiane have all been with the group for eleven years. Since the singers of Joyous Celebration are schooled in both music and how to carry themselves as gospel musicians and how to succeed independently in the competitive music industry, the founders frequently refer to the initiative as a gospel project.

Over the years, Joyful Celebration choir has won multiple honors for their efforts. Among their honors are the Crown Gospel Music Awards for Best Group of the Year, the International East Africa Music Awards for Best Choir Group (which they have also won numerous times), and the South African Music Award for Best Gospel Album, which they have received multiple times. Siyabonga Nene, the lead singer of the group, was recognized by his peers as well in 2018 when he won Best Male Vocalist of the Year at the SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards.

Since its inception, Joyous Celebration has released several successful albums, some of which include Joyous Celebration (1,2,3,4,5,6 & 7). The single “Uyalalelwa“, Lizalis’ Iingoma,” Uyaligifenj” and “Baba Wethu” are some of their most popular singles. Joyous Celebration 22: Heal Our Land was the band’s last album, which came out in 2018. The group has been working with some of the biggest names in the music industry, such as South African singer Yvonne Chaka and Soweto Gospel Choir. International artists such as Grammy Award winning singer John Legend have also worked with them.

Well that’s a wrap for this week guys. I hope you had a splendid weekend and you are all set for the new week. Until next time, stay blessed guys.