There is a significant rise in gospel musicians becoming TV hosts. Kholeka Dubula and Steven Molakeng are the latest to follow this trend.
When you tune into Mzansi Magic to watch Icilongo, you will be happy to see gospel musicians Kholeka Dubula and Steven Molakeng hosting the show. While it is Dubula’s first presenting gig, Molakeng has done presenting before, on Gospel Gold.
The beauty of seeing these two at work is that their musical backgrounds give them an advantage in presenting a gospel show.
Icilongo means “trumpet” in Zulu and the show takes the viewer into what’s happening in the world of gospel music. The show is what Live AMP is to SABC1 or Club 808 to e.tv.
Dubula’s closest brush with what she is now doing on Mzansi Magic was her presenting gig on the Port Elizabeth-based radio station, Umhlobo Wenene FM. Outside of interviews and performances, her only other TV appearance was a brief stint on e.tv’s Rhythm City.
With a musical talent that was discovered when she was only 7 years old, Dubula has known little else besides her music. It explains why she is a multiple award winning gospel artist who seems to get better with each album that she releases. She not only holds many gospel titles, but has been honoured with a Channel O award in the past, showing her cross-over potential.
Then comes Molakeng, who is equally as talented. We know him has the gospel singer from Joyous Celebration, but the man has done a lot more outside of that ensemble. He is a certified pastor and a founding member of the all-male group, Redeemed. He even tried his hand at house music before going fully into gospel which saw him work with the likes of Judith Sephuma.
And so there you have it, two gospel powerhouses taking their time to give us what’s fresh on the gospel scene. If there isn’t anything measuring up to the demands of the show, then the two can even come up with something impromptu.
What is intriguing about these two being enlisted for the show is that they follow a trend of gospel musos going into TV. Khaya Mthethwa, for instance, took Mzansi Magic to another level when he was elected to host their show Gospel Alive. This appeared to be a response to SABC2’s most successful and long-running show, It’s Gospel Time.
Unlike other shows where there is obvious animosity among TV hosts on shows of a similar nature, in the gospel arena people are all smiles. In fact, the hosts mentioned above often cross-pollinate and appear on each other’s shows to promote their music. It’s probably a Christian thing.
• Icilongo airs every Sunday at 9am on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161).