The beginning of the new year is set to be high-spirited and animated for gospel music fanatics as the All-White New Year Gospel Festival comes with a jam-packed affair that will happen at the Pretoria National Botanical Gardens on January 7, 2023.
The festival was introduced in January 2022 by Mosa Confidence Maake, who is a new sensation in the gospel industry.
"Due to Covid-19 rules, we could only sell 400 tickets max. Our 2022 line-up featured artists like Takie Ndou, Puleng March, Zaza Mokhethi, Omega Khunou, Putuma Tiso, Canaan Nyathi, Mosa Confidence Maake, Lucas Maloma, and Mpho Mutula," said Maake.
"With this event, we aim at inspiring people to start a year on a high note with gospel celebration every year. Most of all, it is to also create job opportunities in the art industry and among other service providers," he said.
The star-studded line-up includes the renowned gospel artists Sbu Noah, Bucy Radebe, and Puleng March, among others.
Sponsored by the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture to promote social cohesion and capacity-building within the communities, the event was first hosted on January 8, 2022, at Johannesburg Gardens at Emmarentia Dam.
Maake worked in the mines under Sasol Nitro from 2008 until 2013, and subsequently, he started his own company in transportation. In 2018, he began recording music professionally and released his first single, "Ke Lehlogonolo," followed by a full album in 2019 titled "God Has Our Back."
The artist says he aims to create job opportunities for instrument players, backup artists, PR managers, event organisers, caterers, and dancers, as these are the regular service providers that work hand-in-hand with helping to achieve the final product of music projects and events.
He also explains that he hopes people with disabilities can be included in his projects and their facilities as a matter of priority to increase their participation and visibility in the music and art industries.
The popular music talent also recorded his second album live at the Joburg Theatre on October 14, in Braamfontein, which is due to be released in early January 2023.
His first album has been nominated more than three times at different music awards, including the Limpopo Gospel Awards in 2019 and the Sepedi Music Awards in 2020.