Life Is Good

Gospel queen Rebecca Malope opens up about her difficult childhood, her abusive father and why she has no regrets

- Kaizer Ngwenya

THE queen of Mzansi’s gospel scene has been busy lately. She was the toast of the South African Music Awards (Samas) recently, where she was honoured with a lifetime achievement award; she’s working on a new album; and she’s using her brand-new studio and depth of experience to help fulfil the dreams of other musicians. Oh, and she’s about to celebrate her 49th birthday.

With all this on her plate you’d think Rebecca Malope would be offish when we call her up and ask if we can have a slice of her time – but of fish is the last thing this diminutive star could be.

She has a smile as warm as the summer sun as she welcomes us like old friends when we arrive at her state-of-the-art recording studio at one of her properties in Buccleuch, Sandton.

Rebecca – or Sis’ Ribs as she’s affectionately called by her army of fans – is still glowing after her well-deserved Sama achievement. “It was such an honour,” she says. “It’s wonderful to be recognised.”

Recognition is something she deserves. Three decades in the music business have seen her rise to the top of her game and she’s helped boost the careers of dozens of other artists who’ve worked with her along the way.

And it seems there’s no stopping her. In the studio we meet her producer,

Neil Kuny, who has worked with Rebecca for more than 30 years, as well as the musicians from her backing band. These young men and women will also have an opportunity to pursue solo careers when they record their own music in the new studio.

Rebecca is thrilled to be running her own studio.

“I felt it was time for me to stand on my feet,” she says, explaining that working in other studios was always a pressured affair.