Thanksgiving and Praise Concert Day, Sabbath 15 December 2007
Photos by Molapo Selepe, Theo Gokah and John Surridge
NO LIMITS AND BLESSED VOICES AT SWAAF THANKSGIVING DAY - Sabbath 15 December 2007
On Sabbath 15 December some 200 members and guests attended a special Thanksgiving and Praise Concert Day organised by the South Wales African Adventist Fellowship. The event, which was held in a large lecture theatre at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff, brought visitors from as far away as London, Birmingham, Reading, Watford, Manchester and Sheffield, and even Cape Town!
The main attraction of the day was the music, with top quality groups and artistes performing during the morning, afternoon and evening programmes. Among the performers were the No Limits quintet from Soweto, Blessed Voices from London, and the Reading Ghana Youth Choir.
Although the day was targeted at the African Adventist community it actually attracted people from a wide range of cultures and denominational traditions. Dr Molapo Selepe, one of the main organisers, brought a number of his friends from the Pentecostal community in Brecon, two of whom assisted with the praise and worship in Sabbath School. Others present came from Caribbean, Welsh and English backgrounds but all were united in their worship and their enjoyment of the various styles of sacred music.
The Sabbath School study was led by Dr Asaph Mokotjo from Sheffield, and during the Divine Service Welsh Mission President Pastor John Surridge spoke on the importance of building the new SWAAF church community according to the pattern laid down in the Bible. Music in these morning services included Sujoya Paul Bullock on the harp, a solo by Vera Selepe, No Limits, and a concluding song by Blessed Voices, who arrived just in time after travelling all the way from London.
MC for the afternoon programme was Pastor Clive de Silva. An experienced minister in the South England Conference and recently featured on the Hope Channel's "In Conversation" programme, Pastor de Silva was known to many in the audience. His relaxed and friendly manner helped to ensure an orderly service which, although primarily musical, included devotional thoughts and a fundraising drive for the fledgling SWAAF church.
Each musical item was moving and impressive in its own unique way. Some of the loudest applause followed a performance by Kim and Pam Mbenenge and Rea Selepe - three talented children who had travelled to Cardiff from Walsall to take part. Nkosi ka Ndlovu and Vera Selepe (Rea's mother) were similarly appreciated.
With more than 20 members the Reading Ghana Youth Choir was the largest group taking part. Most of their performances were conducted by their usual leader Eugene Mitchell. However in an interesting twist at the end of day the choir was led in the Hallelujah Chorus by guest chorister Elder Lungile Jacobs from the University of Cape Town. Elder Jacobs conducts two choirs back in South African but had travelled to Wales especially to support the SWAAF day and to learn a little more about the Adventist music scene in the United Kingdom.
Blessed Voices lived up to their reputation of being both professional and inspirational. With a number of dedicated fans in the audience many of their songs were recognised and applauded after just a note or two, and "By the Rivers of Babylon" in particular was greeted with cheers and shouts of appreciation.
Topping the bill however was another a cappella group, the No Limits quintet from Soweto. Some in the audience had travelled from as far away as Eastbourne just to hear them perform, and others, although they had not heard of them before, soon realised that No Limits was a world class act.
No Limits started in Soweto, Africa's largest township, back in 1995 but since then they have toured all over the world and have recorded five albums. They describe their music as "Afro-Jazz-Gospel" and their influences include groups like Ladysmith Black Mambazo. However, like Blessed Voices, they are adamant that despite their success their main inspiration comes from God and their primary aim is to bring glory to Him.
160 photos from the day can be seen on the gallery page of the SWAAF website at: <www.swaaf.org.uk/gallery>. For more information on No Limits and Blessed Voices see their websites at: <www.nolimitsvocal.com> and <www.blessedvoices.com> respectively. Nknsi ka Ndlovu has his own website at: <http://nkosikandlovu.co.uk>.