By Ntombi Mhlongo
Fast-growing mobile money company, Instacash has offered a chance of a lifetime to young women and men who aspire to grow in the gospel music fraternity.
This comes after the mobile money company, which is 100 per cent Eswatini-owned, announced that it has joined hands with the third edition of the Mother of All Gospel Shows.
The partnership will see local talent being unearthed and a chance will be availed for local aspiring gospel musicians to be unveiled and go on to become shining stars.
Not only is there an opportunity for two aspiring gospel artists under the Mother of all Gospel Shows but 16 more artists will have an opportunity to join Swazi Praise Volume 2.
The good news was shared during the launch of the Mother of all Gospel shows which was held at Happy Valley Ezulwini. Instacash has already cemented its place as being one company that is not just about profits but also contributes to the empowerment of the youth and Emaswati.
This has been demonstrated through sponsorships the company has granted to various sectors including football. Speaking to the Eswatini Financial Times, Instacash Managing Director Mandla ‘Cheeks’ Nxumalo said, “Our work is difficult but enjoyable in such moments, we are at a stage where we are planting, and we believe we have the right partners to help us grow and harvest. For someone to qualify, we have to cut votes.”
Nxumalo mentioned that the company is at a stage where it is growing and ensuring that emaSwati can sustain themselves.
“You will be trained with a skill that doesn’t end when you finish auditions which will make people help them make money for themselves,” he said.
The return of the Mother of All Gospel Shows is indeed a positive thing for the gospel music industry and arts in general following the challenges the sector faced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to the pandemic, the organisers could not host the event and this was a blow to both seasoned and aspiring artists.
“This is our third edition, having started this in 2014. We are empowering musicians and trying to sustain the industry. We are happy to be with Instacash, a company that is supporting the nation and this will help sustain the growth of the gospel industry,” said award-winning gospel star Nduduzo Matse, one of the pioneers of the Mother of All Gospel Shows.
As part of the partnership, Instacash will be joining the auditions which are to take place in all four regions of the country in search of the best aspiring gospel artists.
“Our marriage with Instacash is also bringing Swazi Praise Volume 16 artists both a live CD and DVD, whilst we will be recording two artists. As you would have it, this is an expensive exercise,” Matse said.
The plan is that in each of the towns, there will be 20 artists which makes a total of 100 participants.
Matse further revealed that auditions will be free courtesy of Instacash, the requirements will be everyone needs to be a registered member of Instacash. The two-way process will be based on how you can sign and how many Instacash customers one can register.
From the 20 a voting process will come in via a VOC App and the highest voted for individuals will be recorded in the Mother of All Gospel shows. This will be on the 29 of April 2023.
In addition, Matse mentioned that the biggest aspect after recording will be marketing which will be one thing they are ensuring to embark on. Meanwhile, ACESWA President Phetsile Masilela was full of praises for both Instacash and the organisers of the Mother of All Gospel Shows.
“Congratulations Instacash for the work that you are doing, much as you are at the planting stage, we are happy with the work you have done, the way you support gospel artists is really inspiring,” she said.
Masilela further mentioned that this is a beautiful opportunity for a local gospel artist to grow and strengthen the fraternity. She further requested support for local artists and that artists are paid on time and fully.
The whole concept has also been endorsed by the Eswatini National Arts and Culture whose Chief Executive Officer, CEO Stanley Dlamini said there is a lot of education that needs to be done towards the local artists and prepare audiences so for corporates to be able to partner with Gospel artists.
“It is such a heart-warming environment when we see companies like Instacash coming to support such an initiative and we are excited to see locally untapped talent being exposed in such a way. Let us take part in such an initiative and grow talent and make business,” he said.
Venues and dates of the auditions;
Buhleni -January 28
Mbabane – February 04
Siteki – February 11
Nhlangano – February 12
Manzini – February 18
