Mashaba helps Motswana achieve a dream
Chippa Legodimo | Thursday May 21, 2015 12:33
One of those is Lorato Otukile, who through the help of the award-winning Mashaba, formed a gospel group called Joyful Ambassadors that is due to release its first single later in June. In fact, Mashaba was key in selecting the 12 singers who form the group as a principal judge at auditions in 2014.
Otukile who is also Mashaba’s agent in Botswana says after working with the likable gospel star for some years, she was inspired to start her own group.
“Winnie played a big part in the formation of this group. She did not only provide motivation; she also gave advice on how to set up things, what to consider when choosing who to recruit and even came here to be judge during the auditions.
Even now, she is still very much involved, giving advice on how we should do things,” Otukile told Showbiz.
Otukile also noted that her decision to start the gospel ensemble was motivated by the fact that gospel music unlike other genres was not developing at the pace it should be.
“Other genres like hip hop and kwaito are growing fast and the same should be happening with gospel. It is groups such as ours that good talent often emerges and unless someone takes the initiative all the good talent hidden out there will remain hidden,” she said.
The group recorded the single O A Ntshegofatsa live after months of rehearsals. Otukile feels her group is now ready for live performances and that the youngsters who are mostly tertiary students eager to impress once they get to the bigger stage.