BY NELIWE NGUBANE
MBABANE— One year after its release, Nothando Hlophe’s Methodist Medley continues to turn worship into a worldwide musical experience, proving that a song rooted in faith can travel far beyond the church walls and put Eswatini’s gospel music on the global stage.
The award-winning gospel singer is celebrating a major milestone with the song, which has amassed an impressive 30.8 million YouTube views and achieved double platinum status in South Africa after surpassing 10.28 million streams in the country.
Released in October last year, Methodist Medley formed part of Hlophe’s live album A New Dawn, a powerful worship project recorded before thousands of worshippers at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre on June 7 last year. Its continued success highlights the growing reach of locally produced gospel music and the potential of Eswatini’s creative industry to attract international audiences.
For Hlophe, the milestone is more than a celebration of streaming figures; it is a testimony to what faith, dedication, quality production and strategic partnerships can achieve.
“Methodist Medley continues to inspire worshippers, musicians, creatives and dreamers,” she said, describing the project as a reflection of the kingdom’s growing creative potential.
The song’s journey has also been marked by industry recognition. It won Best Gospel Song at last year’s Crown Gospel Awards and received recognition at this year’s Basadi in Music Awards, further strengthening its position in the gospel music scene.
Beyond its headline track, A New Dawn has helped showcase the depth of Hlophe’s musical vision. Released under Genesis Lokuhle, the 13-track album features collaborations with Faith Khanyile, Sands, Xolly Mncwango, Rofhiwa Manyaga, Linda Ndaba and Musa Skosana.
Other tracks, including Awuwedwa, Sikunika Ludvumo, Angiyi Ndawo, Sinikiwe Igama and Sithumela Wena, have also connected with worshippers, extending the album’s message beyond its standout release.
The project has recorded more than 16.8 million combined streams on Spotify and Apple Music, adding to its remarkable digital footprint and demonstrating how streaming platforms can help local music reach listeners across borders.
Behind the spiritual experience is a production built on teamwork and technical excellence. The live recording brought together stage design, lighting, sound engineering and visual storytelling to deliver a polished gospel production. Genesis Ekucaleni Media, Lokuhle Media Group and Eswatini Mobile supported the project.
However, Hlophe’s milestone also draws attention to the challenges confronting local musicians, particularly the high cost of production, distribution barriers and limited access to international markets.
She believes Methodist Medley demonstrates that artists from Eswatini can compete on major music platforms without losing touch with their cultural identity and faith.
“The success of Methodist Medley proves that local music can compete on international platforms,” she said, emphasising the importance of investment and collaboration in developing the creative industry.
As the song enters another year of reaching hearts and inspiring worship, its journey offers a powerful reminder that local talent can achieve global recognition when artistic vision is matched with the resources and partnerships needed to bring it to life.
For Hlophe, Methodist Medley is not simply a hit that continues to gather views; it is a milestone for gospel music, a celebration of collective effort and a message of possibility for the next generation of Eswatini’s musicians.
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(Courtesy Pic)
