Spreading the gospel through music
Gospel artist Shekinah is just making her name in music circles.
But already, the young artist has displayed her maturity by not only releasing an album, but by setting up a charity whose aim is to support less privileged girls. Our Arts Editor EDITH GONDWE caught up with the artist to get to know her better.
Q
: Who is Shekinah?
A
: I am a gospel musician with a passion to reach out to people with the gospel of Jesus Christ through music. My real name is Gloria Phiri Walusa. I chose the name Shekinah because it is a Hebrew version of my name Gloria and it simply means God’s manifested glory. I love this name [Shekinah] because it clearly explains what my life has been like since I was born. I am married to Daniel Walusa and together we have a son named Christian. I am a member of Chimwankhunda Living Waters Church and also Global United Believers Ministries.
Q
: What inspires your music?
A
: My music is inspired by my passion to see people saved and brought to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Just as the Bible in John 14:6. says no one comes to the Father but by Jesus Christ. He alone is the way, the truth and life. My music is also inspired by a passion to see Christians worshipping God in spirit and in truth, and experience the power thereof. Instead of complaining to God, now is the time whereby Christians should learn to worship and thank God no matter what circumstances they are passing through. And through this, they will experience the saving power of God just as it happened to Israelites in 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 and also to Paul and Silas in Acts 16 :25-26 .This is what people will experience when they buy my latest album titled I Worship which comprises 11 tracks, namely I Worship, Glorious, Mwayenera Ulemu, Holy, I Believe, In You Alone, Priceless, Unto the King, Wamoyo ndi Wokutha, Born-Again and Indestructible.
Q
: How long have you been in the music industry and how can you describe it?
A
: I started my music career at the age of 16 and I have always wanted to sing for the Lord. My passion materialised in 2015, when I started composing and recording professionally. I released my album I Worship in January 2018 and some music videos which are enjoying airplay in several radio and television stations. The music industry is growing and people have started supporting it but there is still more to be done especially when it comes to gospel show performances. We need to be more creative so that people do not get bored with the same styles and arrangements which affect patronage in upcoming shows.
Q
: Recently, you launched a charity. What does it do?
A
: Yes indeed. The name of my organisation is Pride Initiative and its main focus is to inspire girls and help them achieve their dreams. I believe that educating a girl child is educating a generation. This is so because when these girls get educated, they will affect more people by imparting their knowledge on their children and other people at home, work or business. Currently, we have introduced a project where we are distributing reusable sanitary pads to post pubescent girls in rural areas. This is done with a view to reduce the girls’ absenteeism rate in school when they start monthly periods. As you know, most people in rural areas have low income levels and cannot afford the disposable sanitary pads as such these girls use locally available materials during their monthly periods such as cloth rags which can make the girls to stain their clothes or uniforms thereby making them suffer public embarrassment which then brings low self-esteem in the girls. So avoid this shame, most girls prefer to stay at home during this period which means that every month they abscond classes for about a week. This then affects their class performance negatively and in the end the girls drop out of school and go into early marriages. So,Pride Initiative is there to promote education for girls and inspire them to achieve their dreams and become leaders in society.
Q
: What is the link between your music career and the organisation?
A
: I use my music career as a role model to the girls to inspire them to work hard and realise their dreams. I also share with them my personal experiences and achievements as a gospel artist who is also a graduate of the University of Malawi, the Polytechnic and a working lady. So, through Pride Initiative I also give back to my community for the support they give me in my music career.
Q
: Are you willing to make long-term commitment to your organisation? And what are you doing to ensure that you have achieved that?
A
: Yes, I am. Mostly I use the proceeds from my music career to finance activities of the organisation. And I plan on holding fundraising shows for support of the girls through Pride Initiative. Also I have a team of volunteers who help me in carrying out the duties of the organisation and together we have set both short and long-term plans for the organisation.
Q
: In the next five years, where do you see yourself?
A
: In the next 5 years, I see myself as an internationally recognised gospel artist. To achieve this, I am working on composing songs that would appeal to people even outside Malawi and also I am planning on making collaborations with both international and local gospel artists. n
