All the pop about Mada Ngoleka
There are two different kinds of musicians: Those that can play an instrument and those that cannot. Mada Ngoleka belongs to the former. What sets apart the 18 year old gospel songbird from other female artists is not only her guitar skills which she described as still in pursuit of being perfected, but her choice of genre.
Contrary to popular trend in gospel music where dominance is music influenced by South African songs, her early songs fall in between soft rock and pop. The touch slightly changed after she signed for the Nde’feyo Gospel Music Label.
Mada’s adoption of rock and pop genres might be because she has lived most of her life in the United Kingdom.
Born on June 9 1995, she left the country for England where she started her education at New City Primary School in London then moved to Brampton Manor Academy, a high school in the same city.
Her mother being a pastor, she spent most of her time in church. She sang in a choir and that is when she was spotted.
“After the church service people came to me and told me that I had a beautiful voice, I did not understand how they could pick me out from the whole choir,” recalls Mada.
She said that her confidence to perform solo came during karaoke nights where she performed. Her participation in karaoke nights, gave Mada confidence such that in 2011, when it was announced that there is a music competition in London high schools she enrolled.
There was no match for Ngoleka at her high school where she represented it at XLP competition where she sang her way to number three beating 15 other finalists. She came back to Malawi the same year where she made her first studio appearance as she recorded her debut Chikondi which is in her 5 song EP which also had other songs such as Bright Side, Consuming Fire, Change and 70 Times 7.
Mada signed to Nde’feyo Gospel in 2012. She is recording her debut which hasn’t yet been titled but is due September. Falling and Yesu Yekhayo are some of the singles that have been released under Nde’feyo gospel. With complete transformation of genre, she has included some up-beat danceable songs and Chichewa verses and choruses.
Born in a Christian family, Mada says she is became born again at the age of 13 and that her mom, Pastor Prene Banda who is a pastor at Springs of Life international Church, has been her mentor and encouraged her spiritually.
Apart from winning the XLP competition in London that was judged by one of the producers of Mary J Blige and other experts in music, Mada, has performed charity events such as Forerunner Youth ministry which is also headed by her sister in England.
Despite making appearances in other artists’ shows as a guest artist and her first show at Nanzikambe, Mada cherishes her BBC interview as one of her highest moments in music.
“I know a lot of fine musicians, who have been in the industry for a long time, but they have never been called for an interview at BBC, but I was called there and I believe it was God’s doing that I was there,” says the Nde’feyo starlet.
She claims that most of her music is not only inspired by the scriptures of the Holy Bible, she is also very observant of experiences of life and draws many lessons which she includes in her music.
“I might be young, but God sees beyond age and he uses me more than he has some 50 year olds, and I am grateful He entrusted me with this gift,” says Mada.
She is also an ambassador for Passion and Purity movement that promotes abstinence in youths.
Mada is expected to release an album in September which will have collaborations by Ndirande Anglican Voices and Frank Chimpanzi.
