In Loving Memory: David Mulovhedzi
It is with a heavy heart that I share the sad news that founding choirmaster and musical director David Mulovhedzi passed away last night.
He was a father figure to all members of the Soweto Gospel Choir and will be on the minds of both Choirs as they wrap up their European and Asian tours.
My thoughts and prayers for the entire Mulovhedzi family and beyond.
Thank you David. You will be missed deeply.
Family Affairs: Mulohedzi Family
Photos by Sheila Zhao
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- A choir group rehearses in front of the Mulovhedzi house in Johannesburg’s largest township, Soweto.
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- Musical endeavors founded by the Mulovhedzi’s often uses the family house as a meeting point for rehearsals and practices.
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- A group of female choir members change into costume inside the Mulovhedzi’s family living room. Choir and dance groups founded by the Mulovhedzi family leverages limited space and resources to the best of their abilities.
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- Two members of a dance troupe rehearses in the Mulohedzi’s garage. Choir and dance groups founded by the Mulovhedzi family leverages limited space and resources to the best of their abilities.
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- “Out-law” is tattooed into the arm of a dance troupe member. Joining one of the Mulovhedzi’s dance or choir groups often becomes a way that young, black township residents can positively use their time, as well as earn a living for themselves and their families.
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- David Mulovhedzi, the family patriarch, is behind the creation of the various choirs and dance troupes associated with the family.
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- Jimmy Mulovhedzi, the family’s oldest son, coaches a choir that the family has founded. The choir has already performed with big name acts domestically and will soon kick off their first international tour.
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- David’s daughter-in-law, Mary, enjoys a light moment with fellow choir members during a rehearsal break. Mary is a member of David Mulovhedzi’s most successful choir, The Soweto Gospel Choir.
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- The Soweto Gospel Choir is David Mulohedzi’s most successful group to date. Formed in 2002, the group has enjoyed both domestic and international success, including the win of a second consecutive Grammy Award.
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- The Soweto Gospel Choir performs with Celine Dion during her world kick-off tour, held in Johannesburg. Formed in 2002, the group has enjoyed both domestic and international success, including the win of a second consecutive Grammy Award.
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- David Mulovhedzi’s daughter-in-law, Mary, tidies the living room, under the shadow of a Soweto Gospel Choir news clipping. Even though the choir has enjoyed both domestic and international success, when not rehearsing or performing, Mary is still responsible for daily household chores and responsibilities.
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- A family friend plays with Ronewa, one of the youngest members of the Mulovhedzi family.
SAMA Roundup
Congratulations to the Choir for winning the Best Duo/Group award at the 15th Annual South African Music Awards held today.
Musical director David Mulovhedzi and Choir members Jeho Fata and Shimmy Jiyane were present to accept the award.
Choir lands third Grammy nomination
by Noughty Maluleke and JoNews Reporter
City of Johannesburg
December 8, 2008
Winning awards is one of the things the Soweto Gospel Choir does well. The other is helping those in need. There is the singing also, of course.
The Soweto Gospel Choir has been nominated for a third Grammy Award – with two wins already under its belt.
Live at The Nelson Mandela Theatre, the choir’s latest album, was nominated in the Best Contemporary World Music Album (Vocal or Instrumental) on 4 December. And the song, Down to Earth, was nominated for Best Motion Picture Song. The closing number in the recently released Disney movie, Wall-E, it was recorded by British musician Peter Gabriel and the Soweto Gospel Choir.
It is the third consecutive year that the choir has been nominated. It won its second Grammy in the Best Traditional World Music category in February for its album, African Spirit. Its album, Blessed, won the Grammy in the same category in 2007.
Bev Bryer, the choir’s executive producer and director, is delighted. “We are so thrilled – three Grammy nominations, three years in succession! Soweto Gospel Choir is in the US and Europe at the moment, but I’m quite sure they’ll be celebrating for the rest of the tour,” she said in a media release.
“It is such an honour for the choir, and is a testament to their wonderful talent and the incredible, hard work they’ve put into everything they do. We can’t ask for a better end to a very exciting year.” Read the rest of this entry »
Gospel Kings
April 24, 2008
Vaughan Mayberry
The Cairns Post
When Soweto choirmaster David Mulovhedzi started the Soweto Gospel Choir back in 2002 with fellow choir director Beverly Bryer, he never imagined winning one of world music’s highest honours.
And not only did his talented South African posse score a Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album for their second album Blessed, they won a second Grammy this year in the same category for their third album African Spirit.
But viewers of the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angles earlier this year wouldn’t have seen any hoo haa from the winners on stage. Read the rest of this entry »
SGC visits Kaizer Chiefs
SGC visits Kaizer Chiefs after winning Grammy Award.
Songs featured: Hlohonolofatsa.
Choir members featured: David Mulovhedzi and Thembisa Khuzwayo.
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