Vocal Ex turns 10 Gospel music giants unite for anniversary

THE country’s crème de la crème of gospel acts are set to entertain gospel music enthusiasts as one of the most sought-after groups, Vocal Ex, celebrates 10 years of existence this weekend.

The array of talented artistes includes Everton Mlalazi, Canaan Nyathi, Mai Mwamuka, Pastor Barak, Snowy, Dumisa, Dunamis Men, The Few, iWorship, Obscure, Fragnant Worship and The Immovables, not forgetting the host group. They will entertain revellers at the Family of God (Fog) auditorium.

With such a line-up, the venue this Saturday night is expected to be filled to the brim as people come to support a group that has been a breakthrough for many solo acts in the city.

One of Vocal Ex’s founders, Thembelani Mdlaziba, said the celebrations are meant to bring together, people who have stood by them since they formed the outfit in 2014, where they have managed to churn out household names.

“The whole objective really is to recognise a gift. I mean members like Eric Moyo (late) winning East and Southern African Idols, Mkhululi (Bhebhe) walking into Joyous Celebrations and Family Voices being at places known for formidable musicians in the context of ministry.

“Myself leading a prominent church choir at that time, so, it has been more or less about heeding a calling. It’s always been about the love of ministry and music and everything that has come after that.

“These are the fruits of that calling and the whole objective has been to minister in song and be recognised as gifted musicians,” Mdlaziba said. Since inception, he said the group has managed to record three projects thus far.

“The first was in 2015 and included a live DVD. The second project marked our five-year celebration, which we commemorated with singles and one video. The third project was released in 2021,” said Mdlaziba.

He said for the decade-long stint in the industry, they will record all the fans’ favourite tracks to make it their upcoming project.

“For our 10th anniversary concert, we really want to go all out and do a live DVD recording that will then be a collection of works throughout our 10 years, making it our fourth project since the start of our journey.”

The Vocal Ex journey, Mdlaziba said, has been an interesting one. “We have experienced a lot of God’s goodness and seen members grow from just being mere Vocal Ex members or vocalists into growing their own brands. We’re talking of the likes of Delukes, Chelsea Mguni, Siza Mdlongwa, Nceku, Mimmie Tarukwana, and Ashley.

Mashingaidze just to mention a few. We’ve also seen the rise of Omega Motaung and there are many more,” he said.
Reflecting on their journey, the co-founder said it has been an honour to share the stage with some of the greatest, as they have managed to achieve a lot through taking notes and implementing them.

“The levels that we have been exposed to have uplifted us as we have shared the stage with ZimPraise, Dr Tumi, Joyous Celebration, Deborah Fraser, Janet Manyowa, Nqubeko Mbatha, Snowy and Ntokozo Mbambo, among others. These experiences have helped us as a team to shape up and grow as individuals and they have made us better people.

“We’ve had challenges here and there. The biggest challenge as a unit is that we’re self-sustained and have never had a sponsor, so to speak, although we’ve had people who partner with us here and there. But, we count our blessings more than anything else and we appreciate and thank God for everything we’ve faced in this 10-year journey.

“We have kept on moving under grace and still believe in God that the more we persist, the doors will surely open. We have people who have had interest and heart for us, like Takesure Zamar and Mkhululi Bhebhe. These are people who have linked us just from a ministry music perspective and they have always been there for us.”

The lock-down period, Mdlaziba said, was a stumbling block for their careers, but they are slowly picking up the pieces.

“Vocal Ex has grown to be a brand of note. It has grown steadily but was affected by the Covid-19 lockdown, as it kept us off stage for about two years, so from 2022 we had to rebuild a lot. At the time of the lockdown, we had an invite to the USA, and this was going to be our first international trip.

“Before the lockdown, we had already made trips to South Africa and Botswana, so the trend, movement and trajectory were pointing up in the right direction.

“We want to grow beyond borders and find ourselves on the international scene. Ever since we resumed, we have continued with the growth of the team, specifically with more new faces, but still, we have tried to maintain what we do both in standard, musically and as ministers in song.

“The future really inspires us because when we look back, we know where God has taken us from and moving forward, we have every reason to keep going on and we appreciate and thank God for that,” said Mdlaziba. — @mthabisi_mthire