The Sunday News
Michael Magoronga, Leisure Correspondent
BULAWAYO-based gospel artiste, Sikhulile Sibanda (28), made her debut into the gospel music scene with the launch of a six-track album at a colourful ceremony.
The album entitled A Prayer Away was launched at the end of December at a colourful ceremony at Family of God Church in Bulawayo.
Faith Mucharira of Zimpraise, who was guest artiste at the launch, gave a sizzling performance while businessman Tichaona Shamu bought the disc for a whopping $1 000. Skhue, as she is known by her fans, said her musical journey began when she was spotted when she was a backing vocalist at the launch of fellow musician and church mate, Vusa Mangena.
“I was spotted by Gospel Addicts stable members during a concert here in Bulawayo when I was backing Vusa Mangena. From then on I started working with the guys until I dropped the album in November before the launch in December,” she said.
On the album the artiste, whose powerful tool is her voice, also features Guidance Mugayi on the track Ndomuteera Muponesi. Music runs in the Sibanda family as her father, Ngwiza Sibanda, also penned a track on the album.
“My father who is an elder at our church, Apostolic Faith Mission of Africa (AFMA) also wrote a song entitled A Prayer Away he wrote the song after he survived a robbery when he was at work,” said Skhue.
A member of the Apostolic Faith Mission in Africa (AFMA), Skhue also draws inspiration from her church leader Reverend Roswell Zulu who is an ardent singer himself.
“Besides Rev Zulu, I am also inspired by Takesure Zama Ncube and South African Hlengiwe Mhlaba,” she said
Her musical journey dates back to her primary school days in Lower Gweru before it was nurtured in Church.
“I started singing in the school choir in Lower Gweru before I moved to Bulawayo where I continued singing in the church youth choir. But being professional I started when I was working with Angina before I was spotted by the Music Addicts who helped me to come up with the album,” she said.
Produced by Victor Mwale of Velocity Studios, the album contains six tracks, A prayer away, Dai Jesu Atura Mitoro, Ndokutevera Muponesi, Just for Today, Siyizihambi and Ngiyakuthanda Jesu. Most of the instrumentalists Skhue worked with on the album were drawn from her church. The instrumentalists include Jimmy Mokoena (piano), Victor Mwale on organs and strings, lead guitarist, Real Riddicky, bassist Dominic Moyo and on saxophone was Vuyile Qongo while on drums was Dywili Radebe.
