The Universal Gospel Choir hits the air waves

Facts about the UGC
The Universal Gospel Choir comprises the multi-faceted talents of many performers, singers, dancers and instrumentalists who make up the 40-member group.  It has recently featured on Gospel Gold, the well known television gospel programme broadcast on Sunday evenings.

Over the past few years, the choir has performed with some of South Africa’s renowned gospel singers, including Rebecca Malope, Sfiso, Debora Fraser and Thembinkosi.

Within months of its formation, the Universal Gospel Choir (UGC) launched its debut album, VUKANI and also recorded a DVD at the Standard Bank Arena Johannesburg in October 2006. In December 2006 the choir performed at the FNB Stadium in front of a crowd of more than 100,000.  Only a year later, in October 2007, the choir travelled to Brazil to record their second album called Live in Brazil.  Making the most of the touring opportunity, they also visited  several states and performed in Rio de Janeiro, Bahia and Sao Paulo. Their third album will be released this year.

The Universal News spoke to Lesiba Mokwatlo who joined the choir because of her love of music. “When I first saw the choir it was at Standard Bank Arena in 2008.  They were singing so well, I had the desire to join them.  I knew that I had to go through auditions to qualify, but my love of music drove me to do many other things in the choir. I don’t only sing, I also compose songs and play a keyboard. Most of the songs performed by the UGC are written and produced by choir members. The discipline I gained from the choir has kept me going,” said Lesiba.

Mpho Akinleye who was part of the choir from its inception, talked about her experiences.

“We were just a small group who only sang one song during a service in the Temple of Faith.  When the mass choir officially started in 2006, I was part of everyone who had the aim to spread the gospel through the talent God gave to me.  I started with them as a young girl but now I am a wife and a mother and I am more committed because I learned that I should give my best in everything I do. My dream is to see us spreading all over the world.  We sing in different languages to reach different race groups. In the past four years we have performed in major towns and cities around South Africa as well as in parts of Africa, travelling as far as Mozambique, Angola and Botswana,” said Mpho.

The choir has performed at major events including the Department of Health’s Campaign against HIV/Aids at the Johannesburg Stadium and featured on several television programmes such as:

• Gospel Grooves
• Gospel Time
• One Gospel (Fresh)
• Gospel Gold and many more