Gospel Star Search winner releases first single

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Huge expectations for an album arose when Grace Mogau Mulaudzi, née Nakana, mesmerised the judging panel and went on to win the Rofhiwa Manyaga Gospel Star Search in 2016. She beat several other award-winning gospel artists, such as Phuluso Thenga and Lufuno Phalandwa, in this competition. The gospel fraternity, however, had to wait with bated breath for Grace to shake things up in the industry with a fresh sound.

Just when her legion of supporters was beginning to think that she had changed her mind about singing, she released a sizzling hot single, entitled Takuwa Yehova.

“Written and composed by Robert Netshiunda, the song is a prayer, asking God to rise above every situation and fight for his people,” she said. “The timing of the song could not have been more relevant, with the world facing the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic.”

Asked as to why she had taken so long to release her own music, Grace said she had been waiting on God. She said that, for four years, people had been telling her not to let her angelic voice go to waste, but she had always known that the right time would come.

“I must admit that I felt pressure from my supporters. They could not wait for me to release a project, but it was not the right time,” an ever-smiling Grace explained. “I did not want to rush into signing record deals that did not complement my vision. I always wanted to put God ahead of everything, and I am happy that God finally made a way for me.”

Born and bred in Sekgosese, Grace is the second-born daughter of Reverend Thipu Thomas Nakana and Lady Pastor Modikwa Annah Nakana of Christian Global Centre.

Gospel lovers welcomed Grace with open arms when she was featured on a song called Nga a rendwe by Lufuno Phalandwa. The song went on to win the Best Worship Song at the 2019 SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards. Takuwa Yehova was recorded live in Randburg and Grace said she was thankful to Mukurob Music for believing in her gift and for affording her an opportunity to realise her dreams.

“I always knew that, one day, I would record, but it never crossed my mind that my first ever single would be recorded live,” she said. “I was frightened, but I thank my husband, Thanganedzo Mulaudzi, who has been my pillar of strength.”

Grace added that she chose to release her single in August because she wanted to commemorate Women’s Month in style.

“The class of 1956 fought for our freedom; now we have opportunities to shine, and with this single, I aim to stamp my authority on the gospel industry,” she concluded.

Grace holds a diploma in management services from the University of Johannesburg and is currently studying towards her BTech in Quality Assurance.

By: Tshifhiwa Mukwevho

Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho was born in 1984 in Madombidzha village, not far from Louis Trichardt in the Limpopo Province. After submitting articles for roughly a year for Limpopo Mirror's youth supplement, Makoya, he started writing for the main newspaper. He is a prolific writer who published his first book, titled A Traumatic Revenge in 2011. It focusses on life on the street and how to survive amidst poverty. His second book titled The Violent Gestures of Life was published in 2014.