Joyous Celebration

Joyous Celebration
Origin	Durban South Africa
Genres	Contemporary Gospel
Years active	1996; present
Labels	Sony BMG Africa
Associated acts	Khaya Mthethwa; Brian Temba; Kenny Lattimore; Kirk Franklin ; Marvin Sapp; Ntokozo Mbambo
Website	Joyous.co.za

Joyous Celebration is a South African Gospel choir which was formed in 1994 following the success of South Africa's first democratic elections. What was merely meant to be a one-time studio project by South African musicians turned into a massive platform for upcoming South African artists. The choir has enjoyed success in South Africa and the rest of the African continent, having released 20 albums as of 2016. It is one of South Africa's most successful gospel choirs, following acts like The Soweto Gospel Choir.

The choir was formed by the well-known gospel producers in the country; Lindelani Mkhize, Jabu Hlongwane and Mthunzi Namba. The choir has been sponsored by Giant telecommunications Network MTN, hence the name 'MTN Joyous Celebration'. Previous sponsors include 'Old Mutual' and other South African media partners. The choir usually comprises 30 to 35 singers and a 6 to 8 piece band. There are usually 8 to 10 sopranosingers, 8 to 10 contralto singers and 10 to13 tenor singers. The founders try to change singers often in order to give others the same platform and exposure, this by holding auditions often. Most singers stay with the choir for a period of 1 to 5 years; however, others do go over that period, with previous singers such as Ntokozo Mbambo, the previous musical director Nqubeko Mbatha, and the current lead guitarist Msizi Mashiane having stayed with the choir for 11 years each. The founders often refer to Joyous Celebration as a gospel project as the singers are not only trained in music but how one carries themselves as a gospel musician and how to basically stand on their own in the tough music and ministry industry.

Joyous Celebration release albums annually and have broken boundaries in the South African recording industries in terms of live DVD and CD recordings with a total of 22 live Albums. Most of the latter albums contain music composed by the singers, the founders and the friends of the choir. They also keep to the signature of true South African praise and worship with traditional songs which have been sung in church for decades.

Joyous Celebration (1997)

Joyous Celebration 2 Live in Durban at The Durban Christian Center (1998)

Joyous Celebration 3 Live in Johannesburg at The Market Theatre (1999)

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