When his parents passed away, he felt lost and did not know whom to turn to. As a young boy, his hope for life was tarnished and replaced by grief, loss and depression.

Turning to his grandfather’s church, however, changed everything.

This is the account of Lufuno Nebulu (26), who has recently released his debut gospel album. The guidance of his grandfather encouraged him to love and live life, although he was an orphan. “This is where I established my singing talent and I learnt to thank God through my singing talent,” he said.

He completed his Grade 12 in 2006 at Phadzima in Nzhelele and then moved to Protea North in Soweto. His manager, Mama Ngubane, recognised that Nebulu was born a talented artist, whose anointed voice continues to touch lives.

Nebulu said his task was to motivate young children in the whole country, specifically orphans, as a matter of highlighting his journey of growing up without parents. He said that the album would heal and give hope to those who strived to succeed against all odds. The 11-track album, Ezulwini, is available at most music stores in the province and also in Gauteng.

“On this album, I genuinely want to tell young people that, regardless of what their background might be, they can still prosper if they have a vision,” he said. 

According to Nebulu, his collaboration with an award-winning producer, Mr Philemon “Techno P” Madibe, had created a sound that would touch most gospel fans all over the country. He said his aim was to produce an album that would positively touch gospel fanatics and, at the same time, entertain them.

Nebulu is currently a final-year BA environmental management student at the University of South Africa.