The star has been nominated for Best Gospel Hip-Hop Artist of the Year at the 12th Mpumalanga Gospel Music Awards (MGOMA), and it’s no surprise, considering his latest achievements and growing influence in the industry. Speaking to Mpumalanga Mirror, the 31-year-old songwriter and Hip-Hop rapper says he is all about spreading love and inspiration.

He recalls growing up in the church, where his musical journey began, inspired by his older brothers who were already making music. He began honing his skills, practicing with church mates, and eventually dropped his first single, “Church Music,” in 2014. This marked a major milestone in his career, serving as the true launchpad for his music, especially in Mbombela.

Reflecting on his musical journey, he says: “2014 marked a major milestone in my career, serving as the true launchpad for my music, especially in the city of Mbombela. The song was inspired by my observations of hip hop lovers and their relationship with the church.

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“I felt that many hip hop heads and rappers were hesitant to attend church or commit to their own spiritual growth. That perspective shaped the message of the track, and its success helped cement my position as a hip hop artist to watch.”
Since then, the artist has been making waves in the province’s Hip-Hop scene. His latest EP titled “HEALING” has been making waves in the province and country, which has landed him an international collaboration with New Jersey-based rapper TorchMics.

The rapper’s notable recent achievements also include winning the ‘Song of The Year’ Award at the Mpumalanga Sunshine Awards in 2016 and recently performing at the Sjava One Man Show in Mbombela Stadium. The artist shares that his music is all about spreading love and inspiration, and he’s using his platform to uplift and empower his community. His latest single, “MNGANI,” features Passion Master, and he’s currently working on a music video set to be released in December.

“I’m also working on a track with Ngwana On It titled: “Bande Lam,” planned for early 2026, and I’m developing a project called In Your Hands, set for release next year,” adds the star.

The rapper expresses his gratitude for the nomination, saying: “I’m truly honored by this nomination. Being recognised by one of the biggest awards platforms in Mpumalanga means so much to me. I’m praying for a win — it would be a significant step forward in my career.”

The awards ceremony is scheduled for December 7 at Mbombela’s Communio Church Auditorium. To support him, SMS “hip hop lovely day” to 34155. Each vote costs R2, and voting is unlimited. His music is available on all streaming platforms, and he can be followed on social media @Donpressure_worldwide and Pressure_sa.

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She spoke to Editor, Bongani Hlatshwayo:

What was your overall impression of the MGOMA?

MGOMA, as a stand-alone pillar, has in my view, it gave the people of Mpumalanga, in particular, and South Africa, in general the desired outputs and awareness to say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. We saw Mpumalanga gospel artists coming from humble beginnings, being recognised and affirmed, however, more can still be done.

Do you reckon that the MGOMA can grow to tumultuous heights?
 
Of course, we must remember that the 2024 Mpumalanga Cultural Xperience, was the 9th edition, the collective impact of the 10 pillars of which MGOMA is one of them to continue to attract support from the length and breadth of South Africa and across its boarders.
 
Concerning the Mpumalanga Xperience in its entirety, what is your overall impression?

Firstly, I will upfront say, there is room for improvement; we are currently conducting an impact study analysis to indicate areas of work we may need to strengthen from planning to execution point of view. But my overall impression is that the Mpumalanga Cultural Xperience has, in relative terms contributed immensely to the DCSR core mandate to promote social cohesion and contribute in positioning Mpumalanga province as a tourism destination of choice, through our rich cultural heritage imbued with majestic waterfalls, unique fauna and flora making Mpumalanga province, the place of the rising sun, an eternal wonder. Together living no one behind, we take Mpumalanga Tourism forward!
 
Does it benefit local artists performing alongside experienced artists? Are there any workshops held to empower them?

Of course, the Mpumalanga Cultural Xperience platform has put local artists as our strategic targets of empowerment, motivation and mentorship programme.
 
What does the future hold for arts development in the province?

The future for arts development in the province is promising, only if we can sustain the current momentum but we are deliberate in creating more space for community and public sector participation, because promotion of cultural heritage and arts development should be everybody’s business.

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That would determine who walks away with the Song of the Year, the ultimate winner being Memory Mamba on the song, Sekulungile. Mamba went on to clinch the Best Traditional gospel Song of the Year with Sekulungile, too. However, the evening was dominated by Mbombela and Bushbuckridge artists winning, leaving out other competitive artists who had also been in the line-up to win the awards on the day.

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However, yours truly can attest that even long before the coronavirus pandemic descended on these shores, hardworking gospel artists like Gershom Ntimane from Bushbuckrdge, Thulamanqoba from Emalahleni continued producing music and marketing it through social media platforms.

More to that, they even tested their strengths by participating in the Crown Gospel Music Awards. Thulamanqoba received two prestigious awards at the International Gospel Music Awards held in Gqebera two weeks ago. However, he’s one of those who thought they’ve been recognised outside. But they need recognition in their home province, too.

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Be that as it may, the 8th Mpumalanga Gospel Music Awards ceremony has grown musically. Several gospel choirs showcased as a sign that talent is heaved and exposed. It ultimately include other local municipalities and not be dominated by Mbombela and Bushbuckridge.

The list of winners:

1. 2021 BEST NEWCOMER THEMBA SIVHALO – SWILUNGHILE

2. 2021 BEST TRADITIONAL GOSPEL SONG MEMORY MAMBA – SEKULUNGILE

3. 2021 BEST GOSPEL MUSIC VIDEO GERSHOM NTIMANE – ITHEMBA LAMI

4. CLASSIC OF ALL TIMES QINISO MABASO – UMILE NJALO

5. 2021 BEST COLLABORATION THEMBA NYATHI FT HENNY C – KEREKENI

6. 2021 BEST SONG WRITER OBREY M – NGIYAMANGALA

Mpumalanga Gospel Music Awards 2021 Voting Winners

1. 2021 BEST SONG OF THE YEAR SEKULUNGILE MEMORY MAMBA

2. 2021 BEST GOSPEL ARTIST THEMBA NYATHI ft HENNY C

3. 2021 BEST MALE ARTIST SIDWELL MATHEBULA

4. 2021 BEST WORSHIP TSATSA LUDVUMO NKOSI NQABA SM “The Psalmist”

5. 2021 BEST GOSPEL SINGLE SIYAWADINGA AMANDLA AKHO MPHOTHOLOZI

6. 2021 BEST NATIONAL GOSPEL ARTIST GERSHOM NTIMANE

7. 2021 BEST NATIONAL FEMALE ARTIST TRICA SELALA

8. 2021 BEST NATIONAL MALE ARTIST TSHIDI CHAUKE

9. 2021 BEST NATIONAL AMADODANA JTG GOSPEL CHOIR

10. AFRICA GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR NOTHANDO DLAMINI

By Bongani Hlatshwayo 

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