Joyous Celebration

Joyous Celebration is a South African Gospel choir which was formed in 1996. The choir has enjoyed success in South Africa and the rest of the African continent. It is the second most successful gospel choir in South Africa and in African behind the Soweto Gospel Choir. The choir’s musical style blends South African traditional gospel music with America’s gospel music. The choir was formed by the well-known gospel producers in the country; Lindelani Mkhize, Jabu Hlongwane and Mthunzi Namba. The trio initially met in concerts and church conventions in and around Durban for many years before deciding to collaborate in various projects which initially formed this incredible Joyous Celebration concept.
Joyous Celebration is responsible for developing many artists in the country who served as choir members before embarking in developing their own projects; the few noticeable artists who have worked as choir members are Khaya Mthethwa; Brian Temba; Wendy Mseleku; Kekeletso Phofoolo; Ntokozo Mbambo and many more
Joyous Celebration has received numerous accolades across the African continent,
Joyous Celebration has released 17 albums to date
Founding Members
Lindelani Mkhize
Lindelani Mkhize is a South African music executive and a co-founder of Joyous Celebration. He is hailed as the leading man of the entertainment industry in South Africa, he is responsible for the successful careers of many South African artists spanning across a wide spectrum of genres. Like many successful musicians his musical career began in church. His first professional music career was the musically detailed production of Wagner’s Lohengrin at the Durban Playhouse. It is this experience that carve the musical path for Lindelani Mkhize
In 1995, Mkhize opened the first-ever Sony Music office in South Africa. At Sony his first artist to be signed under Sony Music SA was the talented Sibongile Khumalo who was soon followed by other African jazz artists such as Hugh Masekela; Caiphus Semenya and Don Laka. In 1995 together with his partners; Jabu Hlongwane and Mthunzi Namba, Lindelani Mkhize founded one of the most notable gospel projects in South Africa "The Family Factory". This is the project credited for the conception of Joyous Celebration. Lindelani Mkhize and his partners empower young singers, giving them a platform to use their talents be it song writing, instrumentation and singing.
He founded his entertainment company called LME (Lindelani Mkhize Entertainment). The company has enjoyed major success in the production field, producing some of the noticeable shows in the country, namely; SATMA (South Afrcan Traditional Awards), the gospel talent TV show “I want to sing gospel” and many more. The company is also managing the careers of Ntokozo Mbambo and Nqubeko Mbatha

Lindelani Mkhize was appointed as an Executive Director for Universal Music Group, Sub-Saharan Africa in 2011
Jabu Hlongwane
Jabu Hlongwane is a singer-songwriter, producer and co-founder of Joyous Celebration. Born and raised in Soweto Township; South Africa, Jabu later moved to the province of KwaZulu Natal. He grew up in a church; his father was the minister at one of the oldest churches in the country African Gospel Church. After graduating as a Communication Science Major, Jabu taught English at High school for three years before getting an offer to teach at College. He finally went into the music full time in 1999 when the Joyous Celebration concept was starting to gain success and critical acclaim in the country.
Mthunzi Namba
Mthunzi kaNamba is a singer-songwriter, producer, arranger, vocal trainer and a Pastor. Mthunzi was born in Kwa-Mashu Township in Durban and he is a co-founder of Joyous Celebration. Mthunzi Namba comes from a Christian and musical family. Mthunzi has been married for over 20 year and has two Daughters Asanda Namba and Awethu Namba. He is best known as the Quincy Jones of South African music.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and a Higher Diploma in Education. After completing his studies he got an offer from a New- York based Blue Mountain Records as an in- house Producer. That led to a formation of a duo group with Felicia Marion called Sweetwater-Amanzimtoti. During his stay in Queens New York, Mthunzi worked with top producers, musicians and singers like Kelly Price, Lynette Hawkins, Valerie Boyd, Gwen Guthrie, Mel Holder and many more. Mthunzi Namba was recruited by Rev Hawu Mbatha to join Ukhozi FM as a music producer and creative brains of the Station.
He was then recruited by fellow Joyous Celebration co-founder Lindelani Mkhize to join Sony Music Entertainment. He became the A&R and Artists Development Manager for this major label. He’s ealy production credits at Sony includes Hugh Masekela, Sibongile Khumalo, Family Factory, Jabu Hlongwane and many more. It was during this time that the concept of Joyous Celebration was conceived and implemented. Towards the late 90’s, Mthunzi resigned at Sony Music but continued as a producer for the company where he was also offered a Recording contract as a solo artist. Mthunzi Namba was also invited to serve as an advisor and musical director in Benin Racine Festival.
In the year 2007 Mthunzi Namba founded “His Glory Worship Tabernacle” a church based in Durban, South Africa

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