The Rhythm Divine

There are almost 50 million South Africans and four out of every five are evangelical Christians. Church singing is at the heart of the Soweto Gospel Choir, and this week we hear the choir performing, and reflecting on, their unique combination of Protestant hymns and African tribal traditions.

Transcript

The Soweto Gospel Choir was formed in 2002 and takes its name from the Johannesburg township of Soweto, and while they do sing songs that you might hear in any South African township, most of their songs are the hymns and gospel tunes sung every week in churches throughout South Africa. There are 26 members in the choir singing in six of the eleven official languages of South Africa, including Zulu, Sotho, Xhosa and English. Most of the songs are performed unaccompanied, but there is a four piece band and percussion section for those moments when the dancers take to the stage. Along with gospel songs and hymns taken from the new album African Spirit, we'll hear drummer and bass singer, 'Mandla' Modawu talking about how he grew up singing in Apostolic Faith Mission churches.

Guests

Goodwill Mandlenkosi 'Mandla' Modawu
is a bass singer and drummer with the Soweto Gospel Choir. Mandla was born in Pretoria in 1978 and grew up in Witbank, Mpumalanga. He began singing at 8 years old in Sunday School at the local Church Apostolic Faith Mission. At age 11 he helped form a youth choir called The Angels and went on teaching himself to play drums. Whilst with the Choir he was asked by the Faith Tabernacle Church to be their drummer, singer as well as music director. He has worked with artists locally in Jazz, Afropop and Gospel music. In 2003, Mandla registered with the Central Johannesburg College in Parktown, to study a popular music course with a major in drumming. In the same year, Mandla met Lucas Bok who recommended that he join the Soweto Gospel Choir. He believes working with the Soweto Gospel Choir is a blessing and a once in a lifetime experience.

Further Information

Soweto Gospel Choir
The choir is touring Australia and New Zealand throughout May and June 2008. You can find a link to their tour dates here.

Music

CD title: African Spirit
Track title: Seteng Sediba/Avulekile Amasango, One Love/ Shosholoza/Africa/One
Artist: Soweto Gospel Choir
Composer: ABC Music 5144279212
URL: http://www.sowetogospelchoir.com/

Presenter

Geoff Wood

Producer

Geoff Wood