Joyous Celebration

A dream was born between three friends more than 20 years ago in KZN. Jabu Hlongwane, Lindelani Mkhize and Mthunzi Namba had met in concerts and church conventions in and around Durban for many years before they decided to collaborate. It would take this idea over 8 years to materialise. The concept was finally put together in 1994. Joyous (as the concept is affectionately called) records a live CD and DVD every year in December. An annual tour is organised to major cities: Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Durban and Polokwane. Their most recent album was Joyous 16 in 2012. To date they have won 10 Sama Awards, as well as many others.

With an ever-changing line-up, performers are selected through auditions, after which they attend a workshop and rehearse for about two months before going on tour. Performers sign a one-year contract and few stay for more than a year. As a result they have launched the solo careers of numerous gospel stars. Joyous Records was established in 2007 to offer musicians from the bigger Joyous Celebration family the opportunity to record their solo albums.