Written by: Ashley Hewitt
Article source: Supplied
If you are looking for a beautiful, heartfelt home-grown worship song, then this is for you!
Gifted Gospel artist, Esihle Siwela, who was born and raised in Pietermaritzburg in KZN, has just released his much anticipated single Ingeyakho, following the success of his previous single Uyinkosi. In his latest release, Esihle delivers a soul-soothing worship song that is inspired by his faith, to give God praise.
Esihle has always had a great love for music. His mother, Gloria, tragically passed away when he was just four, and he was raised by his mother’s older sister. Growing up, he never knew his father, but he flourished in the school choir and his love for music grew stronger. In High School, Esihle discovered his passion for Gospel music and decided to pursue it.
“I always knew music would become my life as musician, songwriter, composer, and vocal coach. I want to touch lives across the world, using my God-given talent to exalt God’s goodness and mercy.” he said. Esihle credits local musicians like Ntokozo Mbambo, Benjamin Dube, Dr Tumi, Kelly Khumalo and Shekinah as sources of motivation and inspiration for him to pursue his dream.
Esihle explained that ultimately God is his greatest inspiration. To him, being a follower of Christ means being a friend of Christ, and it is important for him to be in relationship with Christ, his King. His songs are an expression of his love for the Lord. This new song is about giving God the praise that is due to Him. Siyakuphakhamisa means “We lift You up, we exalt Thee”. Asizenzisi means “We are not pretending; we are prompted by Worship and Praise. God blesses us within which encourages us to glorify Him and Him alone”.
Love is the main component in Esihle’s songs, and he receives divine inspiration to write them, often receiving a spiritual download of melodies from God in times of prayer. When asked about the process, he explained, “Sometimes when I am sitting down and hear someone playing music, I spontaneously hear words. Sometimes I get the melody before the words, and other times I get the words before the melody. I am inspired by events, experiences and most importantly from my heart.” Speaking further about the inspiration for his music, Esihle went on to explain, “I believe the Holy Spirit leads and guides me in my song writing and composition.”
When asked what led him to write his new single, Esihle explained that he wrote it at a difficult time in his life, “I was at a time in my life when I was very sad about several circumstances. I decided that I did not want to feel like that again. After a lot of soul-searching during that time, the song Ingeyakho came from a place of realising that my worship was not about me, or other people. It was for God and God alone. He is the only one deserving of our worship and praise.”
With love being the key focus of his music, it is no surprise when he says that his favourite verse from the Bible is 1 John 4:9-11, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” A fitting verse to accompany his worship songs.
Esihle finds great inspiration and comfort in the knowledge of God’s love for us, as His children. He said, “The God who created the universe, the most powerful being ever, loves me personally. I always try to wrap my mind around that. He loves me – not just people in general, but me as a person. He cares about my life and He wants to be part of it. Regardless of my mistakes, what kind of unconditional love is this, to save a friend. He died on the Cross for me.”
Looking ahead, 2021 promises to be an exciting year for Esihle, with some projects in the pipeline. “Regardless of the pandemic, I see an amazing future ahead of me that includes an EP that will tell my life story.” Esihle puts careful thought and prayer into each lyric, speaking from his heart to inspire listeners. “I would like to share more music and stories from my life to motivate others and give them hope that if God could do it for me, He can certainly do it for them.”
Watch Ingeyakho here:
If you would like to follow Esihle Siwela, you can do so at:
Twitter: @esihle_siwela, Facebook, YouTube
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Date published: 21/03/2021
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only.
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