CYBERTORIAL: On the 18 November 2012 newcomer Sibongile Sibeko received a SABC Crown Gospel Music Award 2012 (CGMA) for Best Music Video in Durban. She is stirring up the gospel music industry these days. With her debut album nearly completed, this talented songbird has already taken first prize in a national singing competition and opened for acclaimed international artist David Phelps.
This amazingly talented singer was introduced to the music industry last year when she won Jubilaté 2011 – Radio Pulpit’s national gospel singing competition. She also performed at the gala event of the UCB International’s Media Leaders’ Forum of that was hosted in Pretoria in August, where she had an international audience on their feet!
Sibongile’s winning video was directed by Danny Antill of Brettian Productions, who is also the producer of her upcoming album. Yet to be titled, the album includes original contemporary gospel songs in both English and Zulu. The original intention was to source a repertoire for the album externally, but once Danny and Sibongile began to write, the opera-trained singer discovered a side to her music that she never knew existed.
In the spirit of the festive season, four Christmas songs have been released to radio at the end of October. Radio audiences are already familiar with her jazzed up cover version of His Eye Is on The Sparrow, the song with which she won Jubilaté 2011 and which received vast airplay on national and community radio stations nationwide. This is also the track that landed her the SABC2 CGMA 2012 and has graced South African television airwaves since June 2012.
Sibongile Sibeko, the humble African songbird went from Radio Pulpit Jubilaté winner to a national gospel star in only one year. Radio Pulpit wishes to congratulate this kind-hearted woman of God with this prestigious award and pray that she will continue to win souls and hearts with the unique talent that God has blessed her with.
The music video for His Eye Is On The Sparrow can be viewed here.
