You do not have to be a religious person to be touched by powerful message in the song by award-winning gospel star Jumbo.
Titled Wena Nkosi Uyazi, the song is a hit of the moment and has been enjoying airplay on radio and attention on the internet. Its video on YouTube has received 1.8-million views.
Just like gospel hits such as Wonderful Day, Lion of Judah and Kulungile Baba, Wena Nkosi Uyazi speaks to your heart and sums up your pain in just one verse. When it was voted song of the year by the public at the Crown Gospel Music Awards (CGMA) on Sunday, that did not come as a surprise.
The song is part of Jumbo’s third album released in April titled Vela Nkosi. Born Sibongukwanda Nyangiwe in Mzimkhulu in KwaZulu-Natal, the singer is still celebrating his recent win and cannot believe that gospel fans have made him a winner again.
He wins the song of the year for the third time since he turned professional in 2016. His first Crown Gospel Music Award came with his hit song Singenise in 2017, which has clocked 2.3-million views on YouTube so far. He got his second accolade in the same category in 2019 with a song titled Engipha Amandla Okunqoba.
The shy singer explains: “I don’t even know where to begin. First and foremost I would like to thank God for everything. I would like to thank and show my appreciation to everyone who made my victory possible. I am where I am today because of God’s love and grace. I want to thank my fans for being there for me. I am currently at home to celebrate this achievement with my family.”
With the third award, Jumbo, who got the nickname when he was young because he loved imitating Jumbo wholesalers radio adverts, has proven that he has a Midas touch. Whatever he touches becomes a hit and earns an award in the process. He credits all this great music to his team that includes award-winning gospel singer Dumi Mkokstad and Mxolisi Majozi, one of the popular gospel producers.
The 30-year-old easily stand out with his powerful and soulful voice in a market full of the repetitive sound. In explaining Wena Nkosi Uyazi, he says the song speak to what is happening currently in the world and in the country, with people dying and different variants being discovered.
“Whether Covid-19 will ever end or not, it is only God who has those answers. We might crack our heads trying to understand what is happening at the moment. Let God take over and this too shall pass. In the song, I am saying God is not far from us not to hear our prayers and cries.
“When I wrote the song I was reacting and also talking to people. I have never thought it will turn out to be this big. It is played everywhere in taverns, churches and taxi ranks. When I perform it people cry and break down because it touches them. Winning the award again with it is just God’s grace,” he adds.
The singer shares with SowetanLIVE that the song has turned out to be his own comforter after losing his mother in June. He was raised by his mother after losing his father at a young age. Having won three awards, Jumbo says his secret lies in how he packages the message in his songs. He says the issues that he sings about are things many people go through and can easily identify with them.
“I know the challenges people face and I have a way to put the message in a simple way that will appeal to the people. I don’t compose songs for awards or myself. It is always about preaching the gospel of God. After winning these awards I am starting to feel the pressure now because my fans will expect my next album to be better than this one.”
The talented singer grew up singing in scathamiya groups (Zulu a capella) and also in the Faith Mission Church choir. He went to DRC Senior Secondary School in Mzimkhulu.
He was discovered in 2013 by gospel great Dumi Mkokstad while performing in Ixopo and was immediately impressed by his vocal abilities. Dumi brought him to Johannesburg where Jumbo recorded his first album in 2015 which was released in 2016.
“When Dumi discovered me I was performing at different events. When he gave me a call asking me if I want to record an album, I said yes.
"I came to Johannesburg and my career began. Seeing myself in the CD-sleeves was a different feeling. It was the start of my professional music career.”
His biggest wish is to have a live recording and write songs like his idol Kirk Franklin.
Fact file
Favourite music: Gospel and maskandi
Favourite maskandi artist: Indidane
Favourite gospel artist: Sifiso Ncwane
Favourite motivational speaker: Sthembiso Zondo
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