Joyous Celebration is a South African Gospel choir which was formed in 1994 following the success of South Africa's first democratic elections. What was merely meant to be a one-time studio project by South African musicians turned into a massive platform for upcoming South African artists. The choir has enjoyed success in South Africa and the rest of the African continent, having released 22 albums as of 2018. It is one of South Africa's most successful gospel choirs, following acts like The Soweto Gospel Choir.
The choir was formed by the well-known gospel producers in the country; Lindelani Mkhize, Jabu Hlongwane and Mthunzi Namba. The choir has been sponsored by Giant telecommunications Network MTN, hence the name 'MTN Joyous Celebration'. Previous sponsors include 'Old Mutual' and other South African media partners. The choir usually comprises 30 to 35 singers and a 6 to 12 piece band. There are usually 8 to 10 sopranosingers, 8 to 10 contralto singers and 10 to 13 tenor singers. The founders try to change singers often in order to give others the same platform and exposure, this by holding auditions often. Most singers stay with the choir for a period of 1 to 5 years; however, others do go over that period, with previous singers such as Ntokozo Mbambo, the previous musical director Nqubeko Mbatha having stayed with the choir for 11 years each. The current lead guitarist Msizi Mashiane has since surpassed any individual to join the project having been with the choir since the recording of Joyous Celebration 10 in 2005 to date. The founders often refer to Joyous Celebration as a gospel project as the singers are not only trained in music but how one carries themselves as a gospel musician and how to basically stand on their own in the tough music and ministry industry.
Joyous Celebration release albums annually and have broken boundaries in the South African recording industry in terms of live DVD and CD recordings with a total of 24 live Albums from the years 1997-present. Most of the latter albums contain music composed by the singers, the founders and the friends of the choir in both the traditional and contemporary gospel industry. They also keep to the signature of true South African praise and worship with traditional songs which have been sung in church for decades. In addition the title of their albums in latter years often indicates the tiltle of the tour of the subsequent year.
Joyous Celebration (1997) Joyous Celebration 2 Live in Durban at The Durban Christian Centre later known as the Jesus Dome (1998) Joyous Celebration 3 Live in Johannesburg at The Market Theatre (1999) Joyous Celebration 4: Connecting the Nation - Live in Durban at The Playhouse (2000) Joyous Celebration 5 Live in Johannesburg at The Civic Theatre (2001) Joyous Celebration 6 Live in Durban (2002) Joyous Celebration 7 Live in Cape Town at The Artscape Theatre (2003) Joyous Celebration 8: To Be Free - Live in Johannesburg (2004) Joyous Celebration 9 Live in Durban (2005) Joyous Celebration 10: Special Anniversary - Live in Johannesburg at The Mosiaek Teatro (2006) Joyous Celebration 11 Live at Sun City, North West at The Sun City Superbowl (2007) Joyous Celebration 12 Live in Cape Town at The Grand West Arena , GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World (2008) Joyous Celebration 13 Live in Johannesburg at The Mosiaek Theatre(2009) Joyous Celebration 14: Life Changing Worship - Live in Bloemfontein at The Vista Arena (2010) Joyous Celebration 15: My Gift To You - Live in Durban at The Durban ICC also known as The Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (2011) Joyous Celebration 16: Royal Priesthood - Live in Johannesburg at Carnival City's Big Top Arena (2012) Joyous Celebration 17: Grateful - Live in Johannesburg at Rhema Bible Church (2013) Joyous Celebration 18: One Purpose - Live in Durban at The City Hill Church, Hillcrest (2014) Joyous Celebration 19: Back to the Cross - Live in Soweto , Johannesburg at Grace Bible Church (2015) Joyous Celebration 20 Live in Durban at The Moses Mabhida Stadium (2016) Joyous Celebration 21: Heal Our Land - Live in Dallas , Texas at The Potter's House (2017) Joyous Celebration 22: All For You - Live in Johannesburg at Sandton Convention Centre, Sandton (2018) Other Releases Joyous Celebration Rewind Live in Johannesburg at Monte Casino (2012) Joyous Celebration Rewind 2 Live in Johannesburg at Monte Casino (2015) Joyous Celebration 20 Part 2: The Alumni Live in Durban at The Moses Mabhida Stadium (2016)
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You Sent Your Word
- Joyous Celebration
I am More than A Conqueror
- Joyous Celebration
Atawale - Let Him Reign
- Joyous Celebration - Eric Moyo
Grace and Mercy
- Joyous Celebration
Sengiyacela
- Joyous Celebration
Yesu Wena UnguMhlobo
- Joyous Celebration
Yahweh
- Joyous Celebration
Who Am I
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Umbhedesho
- Joyous Celebration
Back To The Cross
- Jabu Hlongwane - Joyous Celebration
Old School Medley
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My Worship
- Joyous Celebration
Modimo
- Joyous Celebration
Tambira Jehovah- Dance to the Lord
- Joyous Celebration
Jehova
- Joyous Celebration
Itshokwadi/Ichokwadi - Surely The Presence of The Lord is Here
- Joyous Celebration
This is Love
- Joyous Celebration
Walk With Jesus Christ
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Nisibona Sinje
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Mawa Neentaba
- Joyous Celebration
Come As You Are
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Your Grace
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Keep The Faith
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Bazovuma
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Lift Up Your Eyes Unto The Hills
- Mahalia Buchanan - Joyous Celebration
Mtembe Njalo (Keep On Trusting Him)
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Hallelujah Nkateko
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Ngobekezela
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Rise Up
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Bhekani Ujehovah
- Joyous Celebration
Forever You Reign
- Joyous Celebration
Moya O Mokgethwa
- Joyous Celebration
Where Would I Be
- Jabu Hlongwane - Joyous Celebration
UJesu Uyimpendulo
- Joyous Celebration
Maye Umphefumlo Wami (My Soul Thirsts)
- Joyous Celebration - Thobeka Mahlangu
Bengingazi
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Lona Baratang
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I Beat
- Joyous Celebration
Sweet Jesus
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Holy The Angels Bow
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Umoya Kulendawo
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Siliwelile
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UJesu Unobubele (Jesus is Kind)
- Joyous Celebration - Jabu Hlongwane
Prayer
- Joyous Celebration
Let it Go
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Inxaniwe
- Joyous Celebration
Kuligugu Kimi
- Joyous Celebration
Oh When The Saints Go Matching In
- Jabu Hlongwane - Joyous Celebration
Amen
- Joyous Celebration
Uyalalelwa
- Joyous Celebration
There Is No One Like You
- Joyous Celebration
What A Friend
- Joyous Celebration
Ntate Ke Mang
- Joyous Celebration
Ngino Jesu Medley
- Joyous Celebration
Siyavuma (We Confess)
- Joyous Celebration
No More Night
- Joyous Celebration
Legodimong (In Heaven)
- Joyous Celebration
He Shall Never Die
- Joyous Celebration
Oska Ntsheba Wa Nnyatsa
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Sibabaza Wena
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Akhonamandla
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The Lord Is My Light
- Joyous Celebration
UJesu Uyanginakekela
- Joyous Celebration
Solid Rock
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Even Me / Kungomusa
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Kuregerera In Advance
- Joyous Celebration
Jesu Rato La Hao
- Joyous Celebration