Their collaboration sold millions of albums and set sky high records.  And now, 12 years later,

the Queen of Gospel Rebecca Malope has teamed up with Sizwe Zako, the man who spotted her

all those years ago when she took part in the Shell Road to Fame and wrote her song that won her

the competition.

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The two subsequently released albums that set the bar high in local gospel circles such as

Shwele Baba, Rebecca Sings Gospel and Ngiyekeleni. The songs were 90s soundtracks and

anthems and up to this day are evergreen and continue to inspire music lovers whenever they are

played or performed. And now Rebecca and Zako are bringing back that magic with the release of

Rebecca’s newest yet to be titled album next month.

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Also on the production desk is another long time collaborator Jabu Nkabinde who mixed the music.

“This is a beautiful thing,” remarks Rebecca. “It feels like the first time. The spirit of music making

is very strong and Sizwe has done a good job. This is my A-Team, the only person missing is the

late Vuyo Mokoena.”

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Rebecca says she wanted to go back to the man who helped launched her career and took her to

the stratosphere of fame in this country and beyond its borders because they understood each other

better. “I felt that it was fine that we grew older and went to experience with other people and

experiment in the industry, and now the time was right for us to work together again.”

“This is the Rebecca you know, the style of Sthembele Kuwe and Uthando Lwam. We don’t do

amacilongo (bells), we write from scratch. It is a very strong album and the messages are powerful,

you will love it from the first song to the last,” she says.

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Describing the energy in the studio, Rebecca says Zako was hungry to take gospel to another level

and prove his songwriting skills once again.  “This is God’s work, and we’re ministering through

song. We hope that people will get the message and change their lives for the better. Especially

at this time when you don’t know people and what they are thinking in their heads, we need positive messages.”

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While they were hard at work in studio, Zako stole a few moments to toast his studio time with Rebecca. “We’ve always been about giving people hope. We want to impress on believers that whatever the case they face, if they keep their faith in God things will change. Our Creator is there taking care of us, only if you persevere and work hard.”

Their reunion couldn’t have come at a better time especially after Zako welcomed the news that Uthando Lwami, his composition performed by Rebecca, has been included in the American Christian hymnbook. “These are positive strides and it’s encouraging.”

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Lavishing praise on Rebecca, Zako says as a songwriter, it all depends on who sings your song.  “I’ve done some songs with other singers and the songs just disappear. But the strength and energy that Rebecca has put in the album is remarkable. It lifts your spirits, just the sheer strength of her voice and the choir that includes Pu2ma, newcomer Edna Moletsane from Qwaqwa, and Nokwazi Dlamini.”

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Zako says they are now ready for the country and the world to sample a dozen dynamic songs that they have put together over the last few weeks.
“Before we started working, we looked at the situation of the music industry and realized that unless we put more than 100% of our strength this will not get people in stores to buy the music. We prayed about it and tripled our efforts, and we are very happy.”

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All hail the Queen of Gospel!