LISTEN: Raceview resident releases single for Father’s Day
She described the loss of her father as the biggest thing that has ever happened to her.
Leandra Foster (29) honoured her father with her song titled Free as a Father’s Day present on June 21.
This year’s Father’s Day would be her first without having her father, who died in November 2019, around.
The mother to a three-year-old said the story behind her debut song is to tell people who lost loved ones they are now free. She said anyone who has lost a loved one can relate to the song.
Initially, Leandra wanted to compose the song for herself and was not looking at releasing to the public.
“I wanted to keep the song to myself, but both my husband and mother encouraged me to share the song. My husband advised that my father would have wanted me to release the song since he was the person who always kept me going,” she said.
Leandra said she composed the song at the hospital where her father died.
“I wrote down everything I felt at the time. The song is very personal and special and I’m very excited to release it. I remember at the time of recording the song, I was in tears,” said Leandra.
She described the loss of her father as the biggest thing that has ever happened to her.
“My whole world was turned upside down when I lost him and I felt like I was just floating around. It was hard to let go of someone whom I dearly loved and had a good relationship with. This song also describes that feeling,” she said.
Her calling
She first discovered her singing talent at age eight, but as she grew older she became a little doubtful of her talent.
Leandra believes singing is her God-given talent and that she is called for a greater purpose in life.
“While growing up I went to an Easter festival and the pastor there anointed me and said I will sing for God and will serve my purpose in a Christian ministry. I didn’t realise what was happening at that stage,” she said.
In the previous year, while attending a ladies’ camp, she again received a revelation that she had to minister through her singing talent.
“I went on a ladies’ camp last year October with my best friend. There, three ladies prayed for me and one lady revealed that I will not just be an instrument hanging against the wall, but God will use me for his ministry,” said Leandra.
She then took a leap of faith, quit her job and decided to live out her passion.
“I worked in the corporate retail management industry for about seven years and reached many goals at work. However, I still felt there was something missing and that there should be more to life than just an eight-to-five job,” she said.
Even though she didn’t know the proper channels to go through to share her song, everything worked out.
Empowerment
Leandra is also part of a local church band and hopes to expand in her Christian ministry by singing at events.
“All I want to do is sing for Him. It doesn’t matter where I sing, to God I’m doing the same thing. I feel praise and worship is a weapon in your hand to fight the enemy. I want to sing more and bring out more songs, while keeping a balance,” she said.
The song is available on all online music platforms.
She has recently started a programme on Facebook called Bloom, through which she hosts live sessions to uplift women and be able to face everyday challenges.
Contact Leandra at leandraf.musiek@gmail.com or on 076 208 6806.
LISTEN: Leandra’s debut song dedicated to her father
