BY NOXOLO DLAMINI
BUHLENI– From leading hymns as a nine-year-old in his local church to becoming part of the winning team at the 2023 Mother of All Gospel Shows, gospel minister Lindwayinkhosi Mpila has remained steadfast in his mission to use music as a tool to bring people closer to God. Driven by faith, humility and a passion for ministry, the Herefords-born artist says every milestone in his journey is a testament to God’s grace and purpose.
Born and raised in Herefords (Skom kaJeke) in the Hhohho Region, Mpila describes himself as a born-again gospel minister from Lugongodlwane Church of the Nazarene. His musical journey began at church, where his grandmother noticed his gift for singing and encouraged him to minister before the congregation.
That early encouragement opened doors for him to participate in church gatherings, including Good Friday services in Tsakane, South Africa, through the support of elders from the Zion Apostolic Church in Zion. As his gift became more visible, his reputation spread throughout his community.
“I discovered my passion for singing at the age of nine,” he said.
Growing up, the late South African gospel icon Sfiso Ncwane became his greatest inspiration. Mpila says he always dreamed of one day collaborating with the celebrated musician, a dream that, although never fulfilled, continues to motivate him.
Through his music, Mpila seeks to remind people that Jesus Christ is sufficient in every situation and has the power to transform lives.
“My message is that Jesus Christ alone is enough and that He can turn things around in one’s life,” he said.
Despite his growing popularity, Mpila admits the road has not always been smooth. One of the greatest challenges he has faced is performing at events where organisers promise payment but fail to honour their commitments, leaving him burdened with debts after covering his own expenses.
His breakthrough came in 2023 when he was part of the group that won the prestigious Mother of All Gospel Shows. He describes the victory as a life-changing moment.
“It was a dream come true because growing up I dreamed of living through music, and winning was just the first step towards greatness,” he said.
Following the competition, invitations to minister across the country increased significantly, exposing him to wider audiences while strengthening his personal relationship with God.
The experience also taught him valuable lessons about humility, stage preparation and engaging with supporters. He believes gospel music is ultimately about Christ rather than personal recognition.
“I am both an artist and a minister. As an artist, I write and compose music, but as a minister, my responsibility is to bring God’s presence to His people so they can have an encounter with Him,” he explained.
Among the gospel musicians who continue to influence his style are Dumi Mkokstad, Andile KaMajola and the late Sfiso Ncwane.
Mpila says Christ remains his greatest inspiration whenever he writes or performs music. He also draws strength from the challenges he experienced while growing up, using them as motivation to pursue excellence.
Beyond performing, he has also ventured into empowering other artists. Together with fellow creatives in Buhleni, he recently launched SHOFAR SOUNDS, a platform dedicated to recording music videos for artists and promoting their work through Facebook, TikTok and WhatsApp.
He is also preparing to release a song titled “Vutselani Amacilongo,” which he hopes will inspire and uplift listeners.
Currently, his song “Usibuyisele” is available on major digital streaming platforms. Fans can also connect with him through his social media platforms, including Facebook (Lindwayinkhosi Mpila Jr), TikTok (@lindwayinkhosimpila02) and Instagram (lindwa_02).
Balancing ministry, music and personal responsibilities requires discipline, he says, adding that careful planning helps him remain focused.
“I schedule everything and give each responsibility its own time,” he said.
Despite receiving increasing recognition, Mpila says he remains grounded through the Word of God and the guidance he receives from mentors, including Mr Fakazi Samuel, Apostle Nduduzo Matse and Honourable Khunga Nkhosi.
Looking ahead, the gospel minister hopes to continue producing impactful music, establish his own record label and use his success to uplift underprivileged members of society.
To aspiring gospel musicians, he encourages them to build a genuine relationship with God, discover their unique musical identity, surround themselves with positive influences, seek mentorship and remain humble throughout their journey.
As he concluded the interview, Mpila expressed heartfelt gratitude to his supporters.
“Thank you so much for supporting and loving Lindwayinkhosi. I promise to continue delivering good music. Please forgive me for my mistakes as I am still learning and growing. Above all else, I love you all.”
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(Courtesy Pic)
