Community members, together with King Sabatha Dalindyebo Local Municipality and OR Tambo District Municipality from Mthatha, hosted a homecoming ceremony for award-winning resident and well-known Gospel singer, Bethusile Mcinga, recently.
Mcinga won the Song of the Year award with his hit song, Ngena Noah, at the Metro FM Music Awards 2023 held at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga, on May 6.
The MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Nonceba Kontsiwe, said that she wishes that artistes who are still new in this field could learn something from Mcinga.
Kontsiwe said that due to the limited resources in the province they cannot support all artistes at once.
“Before he was announced as a winner, I was crossing fingers because Gospel music is not taken seriously. At least this is encouraging them to continue singing this kind of music,” said Kontsiwe.
She added that she is encouraging other artistes not to give up, even if they do not get support when they want, but they must not give up.
“There are other opportunities if someone is searching on the internet for organisations that are always willing to assist artistes, so they must also use those opportunities.
“Even the department publicises those organisations. We have seen some of them supporting some of the people so they must spread their wings.”
Mcinga said that he was shocked to see people supporting him so much.
“Indeed, government from the Eastern Cape is supporting us and we are very proud about that. We are still appealing to them to continue supporting us so that we can inspire other local artistes who are in the rural areas,” said Mcinga.
He added that they want to show them that people can be great achievers even if they are based here in the Eastern Cape, without going to other cities.
According to him, they want to continue lifting the flag of the Eastern Cape, as it is known as the home of legends.
“We are now new legends who are building their own names and careers in the space of South Africa. I thank all those who voted for me, because without you I was not going to win this award.”
Lusanda Mcinga, talking about her son, said that she does not have words for how proud she is of Bethusile.
She said that she was very happy to witness this.
“He went very far and I am proud of him and he must continue doing this,” said Mcinga.
