Good evening, brothers and sisters in Christ. Sanibonani, Dumelang, Good evening, Middelburg! It gives me great pleasure to join you this evening for the spirit of praise All Stars event. I wish to extend my highest regards to our District Executive Mayor of the Nkangala District Municipality.

Thank you for your unwavering guidance and presence. A warm welcome to our host, the Local Executive Mayor of the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality. Thank you for opening this beautiful municipality to us tonight. Sincere congratulations to the Yethu Sonke Foundation for organizing this massive Spirit of Praise All Stars gathering.

Thank you for bringing light and hope to Mpumalanga. We greet all the heavyweights sharing the stage tonight, including Dumi Mkokstad, Winnie Mashaba, and our local beacon of grace, Mpumi Mtsweni. As the Department of Culture, Sports, and Recreation, our mission is to build socially cohesive communities, drive moral regeneration, and celebrate our diverse heritage. Gospel music is an essential pillar of South African culture.

It is not just music; it is a source of emotional healing, social unity, and spiritual renewal for our people. It is no surprise we are gathered in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality. This municipality consistently sets the bar high, historically leading our district in academic excellence, community development, and public collaboration. Events like this provide vital spiritual and social recreation. They offer our communities a healthy space to unwind, connect, and draw strength. It is through music, dance, theater, visual arts, cultural expression that as a people we are able to find identity, purpose and solid social cohesion. Gospel Music in particular has always occupied a very special place in our communities.

It carries messages of healing, resilience, unity and faith – especially during trying and difficult times. I’m particularly encouraged by the inclusion of the United Voices of Mpumalanga Choir initiatives, which creates a platform for emerging local talent through a structured development process. This is precisely the type of community driven arts development that we must continue to promote across our beautiful province, the province of the rising sun. In the Book of Psalm 78:70-71, the Word reminds us that God chose David from the humble sheepfolds, taking him from tending sheep to leading nations.

Before David was a king, he was a simple shepherd boy. Out in the quiet wilderness, he would take his harp, look up at the heavens, and sing praises to the Almighty. It was from those very fields that David composed the timeless melody: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want... He restores my soul." This teaches us that praise does not require a crown or a massive stage; it requires a pure heart. True worship is born in humble places and has the power to shift atmospheres. We highly commend the Yethu Sonke Foundation for their footprint right here in Middelburg. Your commitment to social development, health responses, and sustainable livelihoods is inspiring. Government cannot alter the social landscape alone. True, lasting impact happens when the state joins hands with civil society, faith-based sectors, and community-driven foundations.

Beyond the spiritual upliftment, this concert supports local vendors, creates temporary employment, and stimulates tourism within the Nkangala District. Just as David was raised from the sheepfolds, Mpumalanga is a fertile ground where God raises powerful voices. Mpumi Mtsweni is a shining testament to that. Her ministry continues to touch souls, heal broken hearts, and uplift spirits across Mzansi.

Mpumi stands as an extraordinary inspiration for our youth, proving that dedication, faith and using your God-given talents can take you to the highest stages. As she ministers alongside the All Stars tonight, let us receive the message, open our hearts, and celebrate the world-class talent born from our soil. Let this evening of praise unite us. Let it drive away our despair and fill our hearts with a renewed sense of purpose. To all the artists performing here tonight – thank you for using your gifts to inspire society. To organizers, once again thank you for your vision and dedication. To the people of Mpumalanga-Continue supporting local artists and community driven initiatives. May this evening be filled with inspiration, unity of purpose and meaningful hope. Thank you, enjoy the Spirit of Praise, and stay blessed! Inkomu, Siyabonga!