Johannesburg - Xolile, “Xolly” Mncwango is a contemporary gospel musician who believes in the strength of vulnerability.
The singer has been blessing her fans with her music and has worked with gospel giants, including Benjamin Dube, Xoli Thabethe, Brenda Mtambo and the gospel ensemble Joyous Celebration. Her love for music started at an early age and she went on to hone her talent at her local church.
“Everything for me started at church. Even Joyous saw me at church while I was doing worship and then from there doors continued to open.
“I have worked with a lot of people, but none of that would have happened had I not started at church and serving,” she said.
The singer was born in eMadlankala, KwaZulu-Natal, before moving to Umlazi where she was discovered by Joyous Celebration in 2015.
“I don’t know when I discovered this voice but it is a calling. God keeps on directing and orchestrating the path. I believe that you never choose a calling – it chooses you.” Since she became part of the gospel ensemble, she hasn’t looked back and credits her family for helping to build her and teach her lessons.
Jesus is Enough, Mncwango’s debut album, released last year, is a powerful conversation between herself and God.
“If you have listened to my album or seen my journey, you will then know that I am all for an honest conversation with God. I am not afraid of being vulnerable before God. I am not afraid to say: ‘Father I need You’ or: ‘There is no me without You.’”
Mncwango’s single, Yebo Nkosi is the third release from her album following Healing Power and Ungukuphila.
“Sometimes I feel, as people, we are too scared to reveal that we are weak. It’s okay to cry out to God and say ‘I need you’. I feel that I’ve captured that in my music.”
Much like other artists, Mncwango has also been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. She recorded her album in June last year.
“We were really confused about what was going on. It is hard but I think it is also one of those times where you are grateful to be a child of the Lord. There is this hope God gives you along the way for the little things that are happening around you.
“There is nothing we can change now and all we can do is ask God to take control. It is hard, we have lost money and people we love.”
Mncwango decided to leave Joburg and go back home to Durban to be with her parents when the pandemic paused her career.
“Once everything has gone back to some normalcy, I will go back to my place. I think we have to take the time to be grateful for what we have. Work wise, it has been more emotionally taxing rather than financially taxing. It is hard emotionally. Unfortunately there is nothing we can do.”
Jesus is Enough has earned Mncwango two Sama nominations – Best Newcomer and Best Contemporary Faith Music Album.
Yebo Nkosi is a recording of a live performance, a devotional interpretation with a low tempo, and Mncwango’s praise-singing gives it a joyful, powerful and inspirational tone.
The Star