“Joyous Celebration” was in the country as part of activities marking 20 years of freedom and democracy in South Africa.
The South African High Commissioner to Cameroon, H.E. Zanele Makina, last Saturday June 21, 2014 at the Yaounde Conference Centre during a live concert to mark twenty years of Freedom and Democracy in the Republic of South Africa said there was no other way to mark commemoration of her country’s freedom without the biggest gospel project in South Africa; “Joyous Celebration”.
Speaking in the presence of some Cameroon Members of Government such as the Minister Delegate at the Ministry of External Relations in charge of Relations with the Commonwealth, Joseph Dion Ngute, and a jubilant crowd, Zanele Makina said the gospel group, now in its 18th year, which had its genesis in the first democratic elections held in South Africa, was so apt to grace events marking celebrations through a show she termed “humble” to praise God Almighty for the love, peace and the united country South Africa has emerged to become.
The High Commissioner said after 20 years, South Africa is still standing. Reasons why it was important to celebrate the defeat of the apartheid regime and to go down memory lane to remember those who died as well as the road they have covered. She also said the celebration was to thank the international community at large, particularly African brothers and sisters, for their unwavering support in the struggle for liberation.
The Joyous Celebration group did not only sing to express joy for the freedom that the South African people enjoy today, but also to thank God for a bloodless transition to freedom in South Africa and the love that reigns amongst people in the nation. The gospel group consisting of over 35 choristers and all its instrumentalists mounted the stage of the biggest hall at the Conference Centre at about 8:00 p.m. alongside its founders Jabu Hlongwane, Mthunzi Namba and Lindelani Mkhize; all musicians and producers in their own right.
The group for over two hours, uplifted, inspired and comforted the crowd through soul-touching songs about God’s love. The group began the show with one of its signature songs; “This is the day that the Lord has made, so rejoice!” This was barely a starter as the dancing styles and tempo of songs kept increasing as the choristers came in turns to praise God. Besides singing in the Zulu language, the group had a special song for its Cameroon audience in the French Language, titled, “Merci Seigneur (Thank You Lord).”
The song and many others kept the audience on its feet as they joined the choristers in singing and dancing. The group called it off for the day at about 11:00 p.m. in two songs, Tambira Jehova and Itshokwadi, by its Zimbabwean singer Mkhululi Bhebhe. The crowd, in a choreographic manner, joined the group in a Zimbabwean dancing style to wrap up the show in grandeur.
