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HOUSE OF PRAYER MINISTRIES; OOZING PURE CLASS

By Njabulo Dlamini | 2018-04-21

And there was House of Prayer Ministries. On a serious note though, give a standing ovation to the Zionist outfit in House of Prayer Ministries which has been churning out quality albums one after the other each passing year. And they have trophies or awards to show for it.

That is what quality outfits are made of. And to win the admiration and endorsement of people from beyond the country’s borders is something else as not many local groups achieved such, of course with the exception of Ncandweni, Shongwe and Khuphuka as well as lately Nduduzo Matse.

It is evident that the group is on a roll and intent in proving their worth in the hectic if not topsy-turvy industry that is gospel music of the country. While every Tom Dick and Harry seemingly wants to sing gospel these days irrespective of the quality that is found wanting at times, there is something way different with House of Prayer Ministries.

The quality is telling in not only the present offering released shortly before the Easter holidays but previous ones as well. That the group received recognition outside the borders of the country in 2016 should be enough testament to their worth.

The new release titled Amandla kaNkulunkulu has 12 tracks and opting for diversity and innovation, choristers in this latest offering were sourced from other branches of the church unlike past releases where singers were predominantly from Matsapha branch.

House of Prayer Ministries is keen in rewriting the history books despite having lost some of their influential members who had become synonymous with the group, winning them applause and admiration far and wide.

It was time one found out what their secret was as they are still standing more than a decade later. Choir Master Sithembiso Masika had all the answers as he gladly poured his heart out to the Lifestyle and Entertainment Desk as detailed hereunder;

Briefly explain how and where House of Prayer Ministries originated

House of Prayer Ministries is a Zionist denomination headquartered in Thembisa, Johannesburg in neighbouring South Africa. Our founder is Bishop B.Z Nkosi. In 2006, the first branch of the church was established locally in Matsapha (Ka-Hlobile) where we now have a permanent structure under the leadership of Pastor Wandile Mkhabela. Perhaps it is worth mentioning that the Matsapha branch has been so dominant that it birthed other branches such as Sigombeni, Mahlabane, Ngculwini, Mbabane, Siteki and Nhlangano.

How did the musical journey begin?

When the Matsapha branch was established over a decade ago, there were a number of brethren who were gifted in music ministry. They included the well-known Sicelimphilo Zwane, who has since left us for All Nations Christian Church in Zion. The brethren who were passionate about singing mobilised other members and motivated them to consider recording our music, which gave birth to our debut album in 2011. Many were impressed with the debut album and hundreds of copies were sold in a few weeks of release. We had announced our arrival bit time as it were.

What is the main thrust of your message?

We are urging the nation to repent as the return of Jesus Christ is imminent. As for Christians or brethren from whatever denomination, they must hold steadfast to their faith as our promised hope is about to be revealed. We cannot afford to slip or surrender nor give in to the dictates of the evil one since we could perish were we to do so. Looking around one can tell that tough times await us but only those who believe in the Master of all will survive so we are saying they must hold steadfast to this promise and not forsake or abandon their call. Whatever challenges life throws at you are not insurmountable so long as you are rooted in Jesus Christ. We are about preaching the Gospel in song and profits would be realised later.

Ten years is a long time. What challenges have you experienced over the years?

It has to be the exodus of certain brethren who were at the forefront of everything, even leading some of the songs. They include Sicelimphilo Zwane who won us an award in 2016. But our call to minister in song has to continue because this is Godly ordained and neither man nor flesh can inhibit us. We understand as well that we can’t stand in the way of members who feel being part of us is not rewarding as they have to put on the table for their families with a majority of them unemployed.

Please share with the nation your past albums.

They are; Injabulo enkulu (2011), Anginako Okwanele (2013) and Wethembekile of 2015, which won us an award in Mpumalanga Zion awards as the Best Zion group in 2016 at the awards held in Nelspruit. There was the hit track Zazikhona Izinto there which left many impressed and was the reason we won the award. Last year, we released Isicebi and now there is Amandla kaNkulunkulu in the market.

Tell us more about the latest offering.

It has 12 powerful tracks; Sothwala umqhele, Konkhe kosilungela, Buya Simakadze, Amandla kaNkulunkulu (title track), Kwabulawa umuntu, Icala lesulwa, Isizwe sakho, Zwela Nkosi, Igazi likaJesu, Wayengathumela ingolozi, Sithole amandla and Masimkhondze. Our mission is promoting the church and uplifting the One who is above all; God in song. We are saying that the church must be awake as the devil is out to devour any individual who would yield to his advances. People must repent and lead a clean, honest life.

How do you handle different personalities in the group as choir master?

It is about the passion and determination to succeed. The other trait is not doing anyone favours but respecting all brethren as equals so they return the gesture to me as their leader. If things go wrong, I apologise and take the flak even when I’m not wrong.

We have not seen you joining awards in the local front; why is that so?

We are unaware what criteria the organisers of those awards use to determine the winners in certain categories. But we’ll leave that to them as ours is to continue our mandate of ministering in song and the rest will take care of itself.

Do you have any message for your supporters?

They must get themselves a copy of this album and we guarantee that they will not be disappointed.

Thanks for your time brother.

It has been a pleasure to us and we can only promise everyone that House of Prayer Ministries is here to stay so we continue our mission, no matter the circumstances.

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