Music
The little-known village of Ngwenani ya Mampholi, outside Thohoyandou, now has something to be proud of. This is where the 31-year-old well-known local gospel singer, worshiper, songwriter and composer, Vanessa Mphanama, hails from.
Better known as Venempha by her adoring fans, Vanessa has made her mark in the local gospel music industry.
The seasoned singer has sealed her popularity by releasing her latest 10-track gospel album, Ebenezer, in December last year. The album is receiving massive airplay on regional and national radio stations. Some of the hit tracks that gospel music lovers will enjoy on the album include Devil is a liar, Vha mannda vha a wa and Tshine nda tshi lila.
It has been a long and winding road for Venempha to be where she is today. She started singing while she was still at primary school. Her first album, Untold Story, on which she worked with Hani Mutele and Emmanuel Mamphogoro, saw her winning several awards in 2012.
She said of her latest offering: “The album Ebenezer is mainly a praise and worship offering that is full of blessing songs. The fact that I worked with a seasoned artist like Rofhiwa Manyaga is a testimony that I’m serious about giving my fans good quality music.”
She added that having previously shared the stage with household names such as Solly Mahlangu, Dr Tumi, Kgaugelo Manamela as well as the late Sfiso Ncwane, "has taught me many things in music and I have now grown as an independent musician.”
She concluded by thanking her fans, family, friends and production team for their continuous support.
