22 Apr 2015

From a small boy growing in the streets of Selebi Phikwe, raised by a single mother who walked closer to God, so did Kebafentse Lota grow worshipping God on a daily basis as his mother.

With all his upbringing encircled by the church fellowship routine, Kebafentse grew up to love and embrace gospel music as his first time love and never looked to any other.

Even up to this day, Kebafentse breathes gospel music. Growing as an ordinary singer in the church was what he did best and only until he met and experienced a near death situation did he arise to shine even more in worshipping and praising God.

Kebafentse is a leader of a gospel group that hosts an annual concert in Lobatse dubbed Joyful Noise Jesus Concert. The concert, which was inaugurated last year, was graced by the renowned musician, Matthews Matsetse.

This year Kebafentse will host the second round of the JNJC show at the Lobatse Civic Hall on May 1. The show which Kebafentse promises to be a thrill will have him as the lead singer and also feature the renowned gospel artists Lyon Konkonyane, Ontefetse Osego as well as Lesley Mmokele as guest artists.

The concert will also have performances by Bambino, Alvin, Wame Phalaagae and the Joyful Noise Choir of which Kebafentse is a leader. The choir he said was formed by different individuals from different churches in Lobatse and are a force to reckon with.

Since moving to Lobatse some eight years ago, he said he has made friends who form part of the choir and on many occasions once in a while, meet for friendly music sessions.

A music minister and administration officer with Bible Life Ministries, Kebafentse is known around churches in Lobatse for helping with his musicality whenever there is a need in most of the churches around.

Kebafentse tells of how the JNJC was born, after sustaining a terrible bus accident along the Selibe Phikwe – Serule road in October 2013, Kebafentse came out harmless out of a situation where five people died on the scene.

He said, he needed some sort of sacrificial offer to do, to appreciate God for having pulled him through the accident adding that he felt he needed to go back to God in a “Thank You mode” thus the birth of JNJC.

“JNJC therefore came about as my sacrifice to God. In the Gospel of Jesus, it is the bad chronicles that produce beneficial testimonies. The life Of Jesus is one typical example,” Kebafentse said in an interview.

His wish, he said is to have lots of lives impacted through the music concert, adding that though this concert he looks forward to raising the bar for the Lobatse people to have a spiritual appointment that never happened in the face of this town. “I confidently believe overmuch that in the end God himself will be glorified.”

In preparation for the concert, he said he is working hard together with his team to grace the 1st of May night and assured that by the end of the next week, all shall be sealed and only waiting to serenade their audience.

He promised attendants a beautiful chain of praise and worship melodies for a concert which sells at P50.
This year, he said the concert will have Remmogo Non-Governmental Organization Executive Director Kagiso Morebodi who is also a gospel artist as the guest speaker adding that he is excitedly looking forward to a grace filled night.

He however decried lack of sponsorship to put up shows, saying he currently runs the annual concert from his coffers. He alluded to the fact that putting up a gospel concert like many other musical gatherings is never a walk in the park and therefore continues to work hard in seeking a sponsorship. Ends