Additional Information
The Soweto Gospel Choir’s Peace concert has won Grammy and Emmy awards, dozens of superstars have called on their services, in short, this is one of the most powerful choral singing machines on this little planet. Presented all over the world, this South African choir’s show will be stopping off in Quebec City on December 3. Founded in 2002, this choir has become an institution that magnifies the unifying power of gospel music, which is very important in southern Africa. The Soweto Gospel Choir’s open-mindedness and adaptability have taken it to the highest echelons of international showbiz.
PAN M 360: What is your role in the Soweto Gospel Choir?
Bongani Ncube : I am a singer and the choir administrator. I also serve as musical director when needed.
PAN M 360: The Soweto Gospel Choir has been a veritable institution in South Africa for several decades. Where are we in 2025? Can you explain to me what cycle the choir is in?
Bongani Ncube : In fact, we are still very involved in the national and international music scene. In addition to our own concerts, we collaborate with other renowned artists. We also give master classes and training workshops. We collaborate with other institutions in South Africa, where we can pass on the knowledge and experience we have acquired over so many years. But our main focus remains choral singing and music.
PAN M 360: You have worked with so many artists! Can you name a few who come to mind?
Bongani Ncube : Peter Gabriel, Angelique Kidjo, John Legend, Bono and U2, Kate Bush, Robert Plant, Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, Leonard Cohen, Pharrell Williams… the list goes on and on!
PAN M 360: What are your most important collaborative projects from the most recent period?
Bongani Ncube : The first one I can mention is the one with Angélique Kidjo. She is our friend. She is very cool!
We also worked with American producer Latroit (Detroit, Michigan) and Australian DJ Groove Terminator, two well-known figures in the electronic music scene. We collaborated with them on a project called History of House, which aims to highlight the African roots of house music.
PAN M 360: Also, I noticed some Afrobeats sounds on your side!
Bongani Ncube : Absolutely! We’ve collaborated with Burna Boy, among others! In 2025, we released the single Dodorima with Mr Dutch and Raybekah.
PAN M 360: Pan-African and global!
Bongani Ncube : Thank you, thank you, we are grateful, we are still on the right track. We take great pride in this.
PAN M 360: Your tour is very intense; you’ve been touring North America all fall.
Bongani Ncube : We are performing until Christmas. Yes, we are very busy with our new show based on our album Hope (2022). This show embodies peace and hope; we could also call it Peace. Several songs from this album are performed. This show is also a reminder of where we are as a country and as a nation. This reminder is expressed through song and dance, which are excellent vehicles for bringing peace between people. This music is also a form of healing therapy. We are healers too!
PAN M 360: And what about the form itself on stage? A cappella? With accompaniment?
Bongani Ncube : It’s a hybrid group. It’s a combination of a choir and musicians.
We use traditional instruments such as djembes, African horns, Spanish cajons, etc. There is also a pianist/keyboardist. A complete sound!
PAN M 360: How many of you are there?
Bongani Ncube : There are more than 20 of us on stage.
PAN M 360: Do you also treat your fans to your greatest hits?
Bongani Ncube : The recent material is the most relevant for us, but people still want to hear some of our classics. So we intersperse a few of those old songs that helped us grow. And that still resonate with people!
PAN M 360: We can conclude that the Soweto Gospel Choir still has its power of influence.
Bongani Ncube : The message of a gospel choir from South Africa, a predominantly Christian country, is powerful and easy to share. We have been sharing it for a long time, and it has lost none of its power. Music evolves, but the message remains the same and is part of our cultural heritage. South African gospel music is also healing for the people who have suffered there, as you know. Gospel played an important role in our liberation struggles and was also encouraged by the Reverend Desmond Tutu, a leading figure in our liberation from apartheid.
PAN M 360: Some tunes are also timeless.
Bongani Ncube : Indeed. Some songs never die. They take on different forms over time, but their essence remains the same.
PAN M 360: Are you leaving North America soon?
Bongani Ncube : At the end of the year. Then we return to Johannesburg, where most of our artists live.
PAN M 360: South Africa has been experiencing socio-political unrest for some time now. What is your perception of this?
Bongani Ncube : There are always efforts to improve the country. There is a lot of political instability, but I observe that it hasn’t really changed the way people view the future. People have developed resistance and resilience in all the cultures and peoples that make up South Africa. Whatever happens, we will continue to sing.
