​​The City of Johannesburg’s Community Development presented the fifth Indigenous Gospel Music Festival, also known as Clap and Tap and AmaZion, at the weekend. ​“Through arts, heritage and cultural programmes, Arts, Culture and Heritage in partnership with the Gauteng Province Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation is committed to ensuring that Community Development continues to engage and serve its communities,” said Nomgqibelo Likole, the Indigenous Gospel Music Festival Programme Manager.

“Gospel, particularly indigenous gospel, is a source of healing and restoration for many people, and the festival honours choirs that have preserved praise and worship through both the good and difficult times, the festival had a great turnout as residents gathered for entertainment and ministry, with the AmaZion genre seeing 10 choirs and Blessing of Christ as the headliner, while Clap n Tap had the Ho Phethehile Church Choir as the headliner with 10 choirs participating,” she added.

One of the festival’s key aims, which took place on Saturday and Sunday, November 19 and 20, at Finetown Multipurpose Centre in Ennerdale, was to provide life and encouragement to indigenous gospel music within the City.

Councillor Amelia Zama of Ward 7 welcomed participants and audience from various regions of the City, highlighting that the festival also aimed to celebrate indigenous gospel choirs for their contributions to the genre.

Participating choirs were awarded certificates as a token of appreciation for the extra effort they continue to put into their craft.

Cllr Ronald Harris, the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Development, said the Clap & Tap and AmaZion genres of indigenous gospel have been and continue to be some of the primary cultural and spiritual activities that communities have cherished and related to throughout the years.

“Gospel music has shown that it can encourage public engagement, help individuals grow as a community, learn more about themselves, and work collaboratively.”

“The Indigenous Gospel Music Festival highlighted some of the key cultural, as well as spiritual activities that communities have consistently and relentlessly produced over the years, and their involvement in the Arts Alive Festival is one of the City’s ways of recognising their craft and is also part of the broader strategy to promote creative industries whilst promoting social cohesion within the City of Johannesburg,” said Harris.

“It was a beautiful experience, it feels wonderful to take a moment after a busy week to give God all the glory,” said Sihle Mnisi, one of the audience members.

“One of the highlights for me was when the choirs began singing, you could hear the echo of the lovely voices spread throughout the hall; it was the most memorable moment for me,” she remarked.

Written by Ntombifuthi Junerose Nkosi

21/11/2022