NOTHANDO GIVES GOSPEL LOVERS MULTIPLE O’S

“Okunye. Okuhle. Okukhulu. Okuzayo … #Yebo!”

These words, lifted from one of Nothando’s latest album, are an attempt to summarise some of the O’s that gospel maestro Nothando ‘Khululugcobo’ Hlophe graciously gave gospel lovers in a power-packed and anointed performance at Sibane Hotel auditorium last Saturday night.

Starting off the praise and worship experience, she gave the audience Ngenelela – Lord we invite you, a song that completely changed the atmosphere, making God’s presence palpable, as it set ripples of powerful excitement running at the audience as waves.

From first song, one you could already tell that she and her versatile band, know their story, chapter and verse.
I have huge respect for her craft, particularly how she weaved it in to minister and to entertain, a skill that elevates her to being one of the country’s solid lead vocalist in the gospel space.

This was much clearer when the talented singer proceeded to render ‘Wobuya lo Jesu’ – a traditional hymn about the second coming of Jesus Christ, which she has transformed into a powerful hit.
As I sang along, the song brought back my Sunday school memories.

sense of expectation

Growing up, ‘Wobuya lo Jesu’ was a song that was often led by senior women in my church. As a child trying to make sense of church and God, my view was that this song had a huge tint of sorrow, as opposed to projecting a sense of expectation on the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Further, on account of its slow tempo, I felt it could readily lull one to sleep, particularly if you were not awake to the message of the song. Besides sleeping, as children we would not mind either talking to one another or throwing paper airplanes as the song was sung.

From childhood experience, I can tell you that I sang ‘Wobuya lo Jesu’ multiple times, and hence my surprise at how Nothando has re-engineered it into a version that rhymes with today’s audience, which makes the message of the song readily accessible.

Since the song has been given a much-needed facelift, now you can now sit up, and listen to the message of this great sing-along song.
“Wobuya lo Jesu” prominently puts on a pedestal a bass guitar which is such a stubborn delight! Each time the song transitions, and it has several of these, you can’t help but be absorbed into the world of the song.  

As the song launches its closing lines, you are forgiven to think that it is transitioning into a fast tempo mood, yet it is the second build-up of excitement which brings the song to a pleasurable end.
As you milk the excitement of the last half of the song, it takes you to an end you, unfortunately, are not looking forward to.

tangential route

So, if you have been scared too many times about the second coming of Jesus Christ, this song will calm your nerves, but still make the message accessible without being intimidating.
Nothando’s ‘Wobuya lo Jesu’ provides a tangential route to convey the timeless message across this generation.

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