Johannesburg – After a successful international tour, the Soweto Spiritual Singers – a 27-member vocal ensemble – are performing in South Africa this weekend at the Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein.
Fans can expect a thrilling homecoming performance.
The world renowned outfit was founded back in 2007 by the multi-talented Vilakazi siblings Nkululeko and Vicky Vilakazi at their Dlamini 1 home in Soweto.
Born in a musical home and growing up in a church background, the duo developed the love for music from family groups which sang to their fathers crusades.
Nkululeko says: Our musical influence is derived mostly a highly musical family and church background, as our parents were both pastors. We have always been surrounded by church people and young people who stayed at our home and were singing hymns.
Nkululeko studied music in the early 90s at the Eastside College. Upon completion he later had a short stint with Joyous Celebration as a singer.
From there, Nkululeko got involved in the music business while working behind the scenes.
Together with his siblings Vicky and Gift, they later co-founded Soweto Gospel Choir.
Nkululeko became the first musical director of the group.
He also played the keyboard and produced the groups Grammy Award winning album.
We have been in the forefront of the formation of groups like Family Factory, Joyous Celebration and Soweto Gospel Choir,” says Nkululeko.
“We got our first international break in 2009 as Soweto Spiritual Singers when Vicky met Netherlands promoters and pitched an idea of a choir, and as they say the rest is history.
As most people cant really differentiate the two groups Soweto Spiritual Singers and Soweto Gospel Choir, Nkululeko assured WSAM that the two groups are very distinct and different outfits.
Our show is broader in repertoire approach, we are a spiritual and not confined to just gospel.
“We sing a wide variety of repertoire from all traditional and spiritual persuasion South Africa has, and our detailed world music approach accompanied with exhilarating dance, towering with joy.
Classified as World Music this impressive vocal and band ensemble group, accompanied by dancers and a five-piece band, showcase the diverse “Spiritual Sounds of Africa” through soulful harmonies, an explosion of colours, dance, drums, evocative melodies and so much more.
HOMECOMING: The Soweto Spiritual Singers – a 27-member vocal ensemble will perform at Joburg Theatre at the weekend
The choir was formed to celebrate our unity in diversity as a nation, said co-founder Vicky.
She continued that they want to present diversity in cultures and traditions in their performances around the world.
Through their 16 years of existence Soweto Spiritual Singers have performed and showcased their talent at theatres across the globe, selling out shows in Europe, the United Kingdom and across the African continent.
The choirs notable achievements include winning an award at the Crown Gospel Awards as the Best Group in 2011.
The SAMA and Kenya Music Awards nomination as the Best Group in both awards.
The group has recorded two albums titled Open Heaven and self-titled Soweto Spiritual Singers, which was recorded and released internationally.
The groups career highlights includes performing the song Something Inside So Strong a duet with Lira at the late President Nelson Mandelas 91st birthday; performance at the closing ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth games held in Glasgow, as well as recording on the soundtrack for the Broadway & Disney production movie of the Lion King with Lebo M, as well as more recently on The Woman King soundtrack.
When South Africa hosted the Soccer World Cup in 2010, the Soweto Spiritual Singers were one of the acts selected to perform at the Opening Ceremony, to welcome the world and to showcase what this country has to offer.
Their song Sign of a Victory, featuring R. Kelly, is the opening track of the official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album.
We felt that it was time to perform at home and to bring the magic of our show to South Africa, adds Nonkulelo.
The Soweto Spiritual Singers will perform at the Joburg Theatre on Friday and Saturday night at 7pm and on Sunday afternoon at 3pm.
Tickets range from R250 to R400 and are available for sale through – WEBTICKETS: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1523962775 or at the Joburg Theatre box office. Call the Joburg Theatre on 011 877 6800 to book.
