WeeklySA_AdminHONOUR: Malope’s music has uplifted, healed, and given voice to many gospel singers
By Priscilla Malinga
Seeking musical opportunities to stardom only thought to be available in the City of Gold, famous songstress Rebecca Malope, then a bumpkin, set-out for nearly 400km from the countryside of Lekazi, Mpumalanga, to seek stardom.
Now many years later after those energy-sapping kilometres she trudged on foot with her sister, Molepe is repeating the fruits.
Malope is having a good year. Early this year, she received a lifetime Achiever Award, conferred on her by the Metro FM.
Now, the effervescent Malope is due for yet another award – the Lifetime Achievement Honour at the 2025 Basadi Music Awards shindig to be held on August 2 at the Joburg Theatre.
Widely celebrated as The Queen of Gospel, Malope’s career spans four decades, with more than 36 albums to her credit and more than 10 million records sold worldwide.
Her blend of music has not only topped charts; it has inspired others to embrace spiritual and cultural music genre, turning it into popular musical entertainment brand resonating with music lovers.
Born as Batsogile Lovederia Malope in Lekazi, she overcame early health challenges and poverty to pursue her passion for music.
At just 16, she and her sister walked nearly 400 km to Johannesburg in search of opportunities.
Her breakthrough came in 1987 when she won the Shell Road to Fame competition with her gospel anthem Shine On a song that resonated deeply with the masses during the country’s apartheid years of the 1980s.
Malope’s impact goes far beyond music. She hosted the television show that went by the name of It’s Gospel Time for 15 years.
She served as a judge on Clash of the Choirs.
To crown it all, in recognition of her contribution to the arts, President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2021 conferred on her the Order of Ikhamanga.
CEO of Basadi in Music Awards Hloni Modise said: “Malope is more than symbolic.
Her music has uplifted, healed, and given voice to many. She embodies everything the Basadi platform stands for which includes courage, excellence, and purpose.”
Yonwaba Pangeni, who is head of the SABC2, the official broadcaster of the awards, said the station will be celebrating Malope’s legacy.
“We are proud to showcase women whose stories have shaped our nation. Malope is one such beacon. Her music has transcended time,” Xoliswa Nduneni, CEO of the Joburg Theatre, said.
