Gospel lovers can gear up for Dr Tumi’s The Gathering of Worshippers live show on August 20 at the Dome where the gospel superstar. The gospel sensation whose real name is Tumisang Makweya hopes to pick up where hip hop under Cassper Nyovest left off, by filling up the venue and making gospel history.
“I believe the Dome allows me to put gospel music on a bigger map in people’s hearts. I also want it to be a place that will not feel like day-to-day church walls, because we the people are the temple of God (sic). We are with Him (God) everywhere we go,” Makweya said.
The Nothing Without You hitmaker also believes the gospel genre has always been ready to take on this grand project, but was just waiting for someone to take the plunge and inspire others to follow suit.
Dr Thumi has graced the music world for just a short time in a journey that started in 2016 but has won various awards, including dominating the Crown Gospel Awards, winning at the Metros - and being nominated for the South African Music Awards (Sama).
“I was glad to be nominated and win the Metro award. And not winning the Sama was not discouraging at all and I was happy for the people who won because they deserved to win.”
His life has certainly never been the same.
“A lot has happened since then, including an international deal with Universal music. I believe the awards made people who were not aware of my music pay attention,” he said.
Dr Tumi is now confident he will accomplish what he has set out to do, deliver a never-to-be-forgotten night of gospel at the Dome. “It’s going to be a night filled with new songs of worship and God’s people having an experience of a fresh breeze,” he said.
“We’re working on what will stand out as a big production done with excellence to the glory of God. The audience is God and we will be in the venue to worship Him.”
His stage name Dr Tumi ties together with his medical background and also touches on his desire to heal people through his music.
The PK (pastor’s kid) dived into the music space many years back when he formed and participated in many small groups, until his ultimate breakthrough with his debut album that went multi-platinum within a few months of its release.
He also received 13 awards for that very album, Nothing Without You, including the Metro FM Award and a record-breaking six Crown Gospel Awards out of nine nominations.
Taking on a project is more than just ticking a box and has a deeper meaning for the artist, he said.
“The event is about bringing together all people from all walks of life, all races and all ages to one place of love, that this may be a testimony that we love God and are united in our hearts and purposes, no matter where we come from.”
He admitted the event would be costly to pull together, but said he had partnered with Universal music, who were underwriting the event.
“It is set to be a live DVD recording focusing on the new music that I’ll share. I’m looking into inviting a few friends as well to minister. I’m just a vessel to create a platform for people to gather. And God is the one who will draw peopl. It will be filled,” he said.