THE Uitenhage gospel group which performed during Reverend Jesse Jackson’s visit to South Africa in 1986 and which took the lead in popularising songs of South Africa’s home-grown composer and producer, Gibson “Bra Gibb” Kente, is now celebrating its 50th anniversary.
This group, The Christadelphians, was established by four high school friends from the then dustladen Kabah township in Uitenhage. Decades later they have toured Greece, Egypt and Israel.
Danny Jacobs, one of the founder members of the Christadelphians, said they write their own songs, but also do cover versions and arrangements of existing songs.
“Our style is to keep it plain and simple. Although we started as an acapella group and we have added keyboards to our repertoire to add more spice to our productions,” said Jacobs.
The group is sought-after to perform at weddings, anniversaries, birthday celebrations and they are pillars of strength for bereaved families during the passing away of loved ones.
“We believe that South Africans need more than ever before to hear about good news. We pray that we, in a small way, could be useful instruments in God’s hands to be the messengers of this,” said Jacobs.
50th Anniversary celebrations
The Christadelphians’ 50th Anniversary celebration weekend will be held from 19-21 April. On April 19th there will be a gospel group Golden Oldies Show at the Allanridge Civic Centre at 18:00. April 20th: Family Breakfast at VW PeoplePavilion 09:00 and Golden Jubilee Gala, VW PeoplePavilion 19:00. April 21st: 50th Celebration Service, Dale Street Congregational Church 14:30; 50th Celebration Gospel Show, Allanridge Civic Centre, 19:00.
- For more information contact Danny Jacobs 082 496 1281.
