On Saturday, 4th August 2012, Coca Cola Park (Ellis Park) is set to host one of the year’s biggest and most impressive gospel events yet! From ten in the morning, the already impressive stadium will erupt in song from some of the biggest names in South African gospel, all under the banner of Ukhozi FM Gospel Music Festival. EMI, through CCP Music, represents some of South Africa’s biggest gospel acts, including Rebecca, Winnie and Hlengiwe. It also distributes BIG FISH’s gospel label acts such as Sipho Makhabane, Israel Mosehla and Sechaba – all who will be on the Ukhozi FM Gospel Music Festival bill. With a plethora of additional talent supporting these heavyweight gospel giants, what’s assured is this extraordinary gathering of God-given ability will touch the hearts and souls of all who come together to share with their maker.
As the brainchild of BIG FISH Productions and EMI Live, in association with official sponsors Vodacom and SABC 1, Ukhozi FM Gospel Music Festival will benefit from the production and repertoire clout of all committed. Currently, BIG FISH has a national tour underway, with Coca Cola Park obliging to host the impressive lineup in an effort to bring the powerful line-up to Gauteng. “The public love these artists, and I believe that working together is beneficial to society,” says Pino Di Benedetto MD of EMI Music. It is not only about the music, but also motivation to worship God together – changing the lives of some who think there is no hope.”
The overarching message of the tour, and more especially the day, is worship God together. The greater the turn out, the more able the organisers will be to repeat an event of this scale in future. “Definitely,” confirms Sipho Makhabane from BIG FISH Productions. “Repeats are already happening. The national tour began in March last year in Bisho (Lesotho), and this year we’ll be back there again, before our Coca Cola Park debut. As things stand we’re all entirely committed to making the show an annual event.” With the proceeds from Ukhozi FM Gospel Music Festival going to the Arnie Williams Foundation for Abused Women and Children, faith-filled fans will not only be receiving, but also giving back to a critically important cause, sure to benefit beyond the stellar performances promised for this extraordinary show.
Piece of mind and the promise of parking your worries at the door is what the event organisers happily promote too. Security will be in place to ensure our followers have an awesome experience for the day,” Makhabane commits. “Food and drink will be available at the venue.” Musically, fans of great gospel can expect to hear and see classic performances from each of the invitees. Some old, some new, and even more Ukhozi FM Gospel Music Festival greatest hits. By example Rebecca will be delivering an hour-long performance, sure to be met with rapturous applause all round. Add dancers, and a sound and lighting rig to challenge the best stages out there, and all that’s needed to make the day a sell-out success is a congregation keen to keep faith front-of-mind, all thanks to a choir of fans singing along in unison. Ticket prices are R80, R100 and R130 each and are available from Computicket. The gates open at 8am, the show starts at 10am and ends at 7pm.
