Stofostofo releases third gospel album

BLACK Umfolosi ensemble founding member, Thomeki Dube, aka Stofostofo, has released a third solo album dubbed Ulungile Jesu expected to create excitement among gospel lovers locally, regionally and internationally.

BLACK Umfolosi ensemble founding member, Thomeki Dube, aka Stofostofo, has released a third solo album dubbed Ulungile Jesu expected to create excitement among gospel lovers locally, regionally and internationally.

NONHLANHLA SIBANDA OWN CORRESPONDENT

Dube’s two earlier gospel albums Ngenani Endlini and Umoya Wami released in 2006 and 2008 respectively, were not highly successful and the singer decided to withdraw them from the market owing to piracy.

But Stofotofo told Southern Eye Lifestyle that his latest offering Ulungile Jesu, recorded in Bulawayo at Ingwe Studios and mastered in the United Kingdom at Linded studios by Guy Forester, would be a sure hit.

The 10-track album features Austin Chisale, Aleck Ncube, Lewis Ndlovu and Gerald Netha, among others artistes. The album was released on March 17 at an emotional time when the artiste lost his mother who died at 84.

Stofotofo, a nickname derived from a song he penned for Black Umfolosi, predicted his album would be well-received despite the failure of the earlier two albums.

“I realised that piracy was unstoppable, but then I decided to record again to keep in touch with my fans. I hope this latest offering is going to do well. People have started buying the album and have expressed their enjoyment of the songs,” he said.

Dube (48), who says he is growing in the Christian faith, said people would be touched and transformed by his latest album which incorporates Zionist and Pentecostal worship.

“I want people to be fully aware that although we worship in different ways, we all worship the same God, therefore we need to be united as Christians,” he said.

One of the songs in the album titled Tompereta (trumpet) is dedicated to his mother.

Stofotofo explained: “It is taken from the Bible in 1 Corinthians 15:52. Suddenly, like the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet, when it shall sound, and the dead shall rise without corruption, and we shall be transformed.

“This gives me hope that I will see my mother at the end. I also I want to appreciate my daughter Sandie Dube who encouraged me when I wanted to take my life in 1994. She comforted me in scripture,” he said.

The title Ulungile Jesu speaks about God’s greatness and how he has been patient with the singer in all the years he has walked on this earth, including in sin.

“I am a seasoned artiste with Black Umfolosi and we have travelled around the world, boarded A-class planes, enjoyed life not realising that without Jesus Christ it was all in vain,” he said.

The outfit repented and was baptised on one of their tours in Birmingham, United Kingdom at Calvary Assemble church in November of 2013. Black Umfolosi remains an imbube entity while the members are involved in different individual projects.