Singer delivers top class act at DVD live recording at the Guild

Gospel singer Nobathembu Mabeka-Mhlongo rendered a world-class performance during the live recording of her DVD at the Guild Theatre on Friday.

The Kumnandi hitmaker left her fans, who packed the venue, yearning for more.

The show featured Yanga Tshazibana, Thinah Zungu and former fellow choir member of the much-loved South African gospel outfit, Joyous Celebration.

Although most of the songs she performed were new, she also sang some of her popular songs such as Baleka, Ungqo weVangeli.

Speaking to the Dispatch after the show, Mabeka said she was overwhelmed by the support.

“People of East London have supported me since I started singing – even during my days at the Joyous Celebration they always showed support.

“ I feel humbled and thankful,” she said.

Mabeka-Mhlongo started singing at an early age, but her career started taking shape when she released her debut album Wethembekile in 2005.

A few years later she joined Joyous Celebration, and became one of their favourite singers.

She then left the choir to focus on her solo career.

“It is doing fairly well, although I have not been releasing albums. I am still around, performing,” she said.

She last released an album in 2010 and she left Joyous Celebration in 2013.

Mabeka-Mhlongo recently performed at Manchester and in Scotland and will soon be visiting Botswana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

“I started doing tours and there was no album, I wanted to check which songs people like and I was able see what works and where I can improve before I recorded the album,” she said.

Mabeka-Mhlongo composed her own music that she performed on Friday.

“There is no effort whatsoever. It comes naturally to me. I am grateful to God for the gift of writing music,” she said.