Richard Masemola needs your help to win 2024 SAGRA awards

For the past 30 years, Newcastle’s Pastor Richard Masemola (56) has been making waves in the music industry, culminating in his nomination for a prestigious national award.

His passion and love for music have allowed him to work alongside some of the best gospel names in the country and even afforded him the opportunity to perform in London, England.

Now he is set to take on one of the biggest challenges of his career as he gets ready to dominate the third annual South African Gospel

Recognition Awards (SAGRA) on November 16 at the Guild Theatre in East London. Hosted annually, the SAGRA awards aim to acknowledge deserving gospel artists in their respective fields, helping them to add to the accolades of success.

He has been nominated in the Best Gospel Jazz Project category and needs the help of his home town to help him bag this prestigious award next month.

So how can you help?

To help him reach his goal readers are requested to send an SMS to 34232 using the unique code SAGRA 12 at a cost of R2 per SMS, and you can vote as many times as you want to.

Voting closes today, (Thursday, October 31), so hurry up and cast your votes before then.

Who is Richard Masemola?

In 1994, a well-known Durban artist hosted a talent audition in Osizweni.

“I decided to attend the auditions, where I sang my songs and played the piano accordion. The producer was very impressed with me and immediately signed me to a record deal with Natal Records and BMG Music. I was taken to Pinetown, where I recorded my first album entitled ‘Time to Praise the Lord’. That was an absolutely amazing experience. My album was recorded live with a band and everything.”

Thereafter, Masemola’s life would change for the better.

Having grown up in the township of Blaauwbosch, Newcastle, Richard always had dreams of spreading the gospel through music. In 1998, he recorded his second album, Jikelele, and enjoyed airplay on radio stations and television.

“The highlight of my career was being able to perform at former South African President Nelson Mandela’s 88th birthday celebration,” he said.

He was also invited by Revelation TV in London, where he recorded live in their studios for SKY TV broadcasting.

Richard has worked with Pastor Mthunzi Namba on his two amazing albums as his producer, Jikelele and Ngihamba NoJesu.

He is now working with the music maestro Doctor Mdluli as his producer.

Together they did an album, Ungaphephela Khona, the song which still enjoys airplay. In 2022, he released a single, Ifavour Yakhe.

The song is played by major radio stations in South Africa and abroad, and its video is continually on television stations.

“I am truly humbled by all those who love and support my music. I am equally humbled to be nominated in the category for Best Gospel Jazz Project and look forward to the awards show and holding the award in my hands,” he said.

Richard is also the proud founder of Amajuba Ayahlabelela, a gospel group that is made up of musicians and singers from the Amajuba District.

Now, with four albums and two singles under his belt and being nominated for a SAGRA, he is well on his way to fulfilling his destiny.

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