Singing His Praises

Praise singer Given Lubisi’s big moment might have been overshadowed by unruly MPS in Parliament, but his star still shines bright!

- Aphiwe Boyce

IT WAS his moment of glory: The nation’s top politicians were all gathered in the National Assembly, millions of South Africans were glued to their TV screens and he was all ready to deliver the performance he had rehearsed so carefully.

Given Lubisi was about to make history. At the age of 11, he was the youngest imbongi to be invited to sing the praises of the leader of the land and he launched into his act with a level of professionalism that defied his age . . . Then all hell broke loose.

As President Jacob Zuma walked into Parliament, the EFF started chanting “Tsotsi, tsotsi!”, prompting the members of the ruling party to yell “ANC, ANC!” to drown out the rowdy opposition. This all threatened to take the focus away from young Given – yet he stuck to his guns and refused to be daunted by the drama.

“I wasn’t scared or angry,” he says. “I know there is competition between the political parties and I made sure I had fun and that it wouldn’t take away from my shine. I knew I wasn’t the reason behind the noise, so I just kept on doing what I was there to do.”

Given’s performance at the State of the Nation Address (Sona) at the opening of Parliament has made him something of a sensation in his home village of Schulzendal Trust, east of Mbombela in Mpumalanga.

He learnt the ancient craft of praise singing from his father, Sifiso, who is a teacher as well as a Siswati imbongi. Sifiso (37) has performed at official events hosted by the Mpumalanga Legislature as well as for the national government over the past few years.

But his son has one up on him: Sifiso hasn’t performed at a Sona – although he was there to watch his son deliver his recital. And he couldn’t have been prouder.