For the 43-year-old Jeff Mahlathi, the recording and release of his first gospel album is an achievement he will never forget.

Mahlathi had all along wanted to express his feelings and thoughts by singing spiritual praises after a snake-bite incident left him without his right foot. “I was only eight and the bite was so severe that I had to undergo a leg amputation,” he explains.

The singer calls the snake bite incident a “challenge”. “After recovering from this challenge, I went through many kinds of tribulations and troubles,” says Mahlathi. He adds that, soon after, he responded to his calling to become a gospel preacher, and composed a song titled Jona because it seemed that all along he had been running away from God.

He speaks fondly about his music and the fact that his songs are accessible. He sings about issues which relate to daily life, such as boredom and how to defeat it by finding peace of mind through prayer and singing spiritual songs. “The release of my first album adds value to my life,” he says. “The album is a Christmas gift to all my friends and fans.”

Besides singing gospel, Mahlathi is involved in many community-building projects. He is chairperson of the Vhembe Disability Forum and founder of the Bethesda Rehab for Alcohol and Drug Abuse. He is also a co-founder of the Pfuxanani Youth Centre at Elim. "I also thank all people who have been involved in my music project, be it in the studio or through words of encouragement," he says.

Mahlathi's album comprises 10 songs, all sung in Xitsonga.