The Pulse of Entertainment: Three-Time Grammy Winning Soweto Gospel Choir Releases Three New Singles and Continues
its ‘Hope' Tour in America
(October 24, 2025) - "I'm a founding member....23 years
in the choir," said Soweto Gospel Choir Master Shimmy Jiyane as
we talked about the average age of the members of the three-time Grammy Award winning Soweto Gospel Choir. "I still sing
in the choir. We have mixed ages - younger members in their 20s with older members for their experience. We don't concentrate
on age, the body will tell you, your Spirit will tell you."
The
tour is named after their last album "Hope" (Shanachie Entertainment). The album pays homage to the American Civil
Rights anthems that include songs from Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder and Hugh Masekela. The newly released singles from the "Hope" album
include "Mbayi Mbayi," "I'll Take You There," and "Sechaba." Currently
the "Hope" tour is on its North American run that ends in December.
"We've been on tour for three weeks (in America)," he added.
The Soweto Gospel Choir has performed for many legendary individuals such as President Nelson Mandela, Archbishop
Desmond Tutu, and President Barack Obama. They have collaborated with Peter Gabriel, Bono, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce' and John
Legend. They first performed in American in 2004 and was highly welcomed. In fact, they we highly welcomed around the world.
"We tour 11 months of the year...it's our life," Shimmy affirmed
when I commented that they seem to always be on tour. "It's a beautiful thing, enjoying life and what God has given you."
The Soweto Gospel Choir has garnered two #1 Billboard hits on the "World Music"
Chart. Depending on the audience the choir can sing in English and five of the 11 languages in South Africa - Sotho, Zulu,
Xhosa, Pedi, and Tswana.
"Right now, we are at 22 members,"
he told me when I asked. "It can get to as many as 41."
Their
"Hope" Tour was launched in 2022, and I am amazed that they are still on their "Hope" tour three years
later.
The new single "Mbayi Mbayi" is the first song
on the "Hope" album, and it was sung by 10,000 youth protesting the forced teaching of Afrikaans. During that protest
many young children were killed. The "I'll Take You There" single is a cover of the Staples Singers' single on Stax
Records. The third newly released single "Sechaba" is a cover of Hugh Masakela's hit from the musical "Sarafina!."
"We are touring right now," Shimmy laughed a little. "We perform tonight!"
"It (the choir) was launched to showcase the talent that comes from South Africa.
To celebrate the culture of South African, and to celebrate the music in South African," said Choir Master Shimmy Jiyane
when I asked why they started the choir back in 2002.
I asked how
they select their songs because their roster of songs are from a variety genres of music and Shimmy replied, "The management
team...and me...pick the songs. Songs that make sense. We ask, what can we offer musically."
If you have every seen the Soweto Choir perform, I
have one, you will be amazed at their dance moves. They really put on a great show.
"Yes, we dance because music is from the soul. Music shakes the bones; makes you hum and sing along,"
Shimmy said as we ended the interview.
The Soweto Gospel Choir launch
a nonprofit, Nkosi's Haven/Vukani Foundation, in 2003 to assist orphans. Vukani, meaning "do something," is their
foundation and Nkosi Haven is an AIDS-Care project started by Gail Johnson. They unit to provide various services in South
African. The Soweto Gospel Choir has fed over 3,000 children, assisted with three funeral, paid schooling for two young men
and allowed Nkosi's Haven to continue to operate to complete its mission that includes supplying mothers and children with
food, school and therapy. Aside from choir member Shimmy Jiyane, other founders of the Soweto Gospel Choir include music producers
Andrew Kay and David Vigo, choir director David Mulovhedzi (who passed away), and executive producer Beverly Bryer. w www.SowetoGospelChoir.com www.Shanachie.com
SYNDICATED COLUMN: Dr. Eunice Moseley has an estimated weekly readership of
over one million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Business Management/Public Relations Strategist
and Consultant at Freelance Associates and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENTS: "Uplifting Minds II" Entertainment Conference (ULMII),
founded by Eunice in 1999, is into its 26th year. Next events are coming to Baltimore via Zoom Saturday
April 19, 2025, presented by Security Square
Mall and The Baltimore Times, and Los Angeles via Zoom Saturday, November 8, 2025. The ULMII event is a free entertainment conference offering a Professional Panel Q&A Session, a Professional
Talent Showcase and National Talent Competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) where aspiring artists have a chance
to receive over $20,000 valued in prizes/product/services. Log onto www.UpliftingMinds2.com RSVP for Zoom Access at EventBrite.com
or email info@thepulseofentertainment.com.ent.com.
