Zambians mourn gospel singer popular in churches and clubs
Some of Zambia’s leading musicians came together for a concert to honor the late gospel singer Matthew Ngosa, who passed away at 46, just a day before his burial in Lusaka. At the Praise Christian Centre, the crowd sang along to his cherished hits.
Ngosa’s music, beloved across various venues, transcended church services and was also enjoyed in nightclubs throughout his two-decade career.
The event saw a full house of fans, family, friends, and government officials. His elder brother, BJ, who is also a musician, took the lead in the memorial.
Matthew began his musical journey with BJ and their younger brother Hezron during high school, often performing a cappella. They were determined to pursue a music career despite the challenges posed by piracy in Zambia, which often leaves musicians with little financial reward.
Matthew and Hezron later formed The Ezma Brothers, part of the larger group The Tribe Called Christians. He continued to develop his craft with The Christ Ambassador Choir at Lusaka’s Northmead Assemblies of God Church.
In 2004 he released his highly successful debut album Umutima Wandi (My Heart), which dominated the music charts.
Gospel hits including Ukulolela (Waiting) and Ndakunkula (Rolling to God in Praise) followed – those two also became anthems for clubbers.
Matthew Ngosa never made it rich but was able to make a decent living from his hits before he was diagnosed with liver cancer in January.
He died two days before he had been due to return to India for a check-up.
Hezron told the BBC he would miss his brother’s sense of humor: “He would go out of his way to make people happy. He was very strong even in sickness. He was a man of faith.”
This generosity of spirit was echoed by gospel musician Kings Mumbi.
“To me, he was a mentor. When I recorded my first song, I took it to him to critique and that’s why I have never gone astray. He was more than a brother,” he told the BBC.
“When a pastor invited Matthew Ngosa to their church to sing but couldn’t pay him, he would not bother that pastor because for Matthew, singing was part of his ministry. He took it as a way of spreading the word of God.”
The development of Zambia’s music industry may suffer from piracy, but most Christians prefer buying original albums directly from the musicians as a way of promoting the growth of gospel music.
Others believe that buying pirated gospel music is a sin that is tantamount to theft.
“Your untimely death has crushed me, broken the hearts of believers, and shocked an entire nation,” televangelist and former Vice-President Nevers Mumba posted on Facebook after Ngosa’s death was announced on Friday.
“My only consolation is that I know you will announce your arrival in heaven from Zambia in style. As you walk through that golden door, I can almost hear you singing with all the power that your vocal cords can manage.”
