Winnie Mashaba (38) wishes she could turn back the clock and listen to her music the way she heard it when it was first played on radio.
The traditional gospel singer said all she heard was the DJ announcing her name, her song and where she came from.
“I rushed out into the street to tell all the neighbours that my song Exodus 20 was about to go on air,” she said.
“Who can blame me for missing this big moment? I was on cloud nine!”
Since that day in 2000, her music has united many people.
Winnie said she remembers at a concert in Mozambique, she prepared songs in English and Tsonga.
“But when I was on stage audiences started singing in Sepedi,” she said. “This showed me music was a universal language.”
Winnie said she was in a bad space in 2006 when the words, ‘Thula ngwaneso, tsohle di tseba ke, Morena,” came to her.
“I started singing it and I was calmed.”
Winnie said in 2017, her younger sister Shatadi encouraged her to record a dance song, called Ke ditheto, featuring BO and DJ Chase, to praise the Lord.
“I sang from deep in my heart and danced with amazing energy.”
Born in GaPhasha, near Sekhukhune, Limpopo, Winnie was part of community choirs until her mother, Malebo Mashaba, organised a private audition for her.
“Solly Moholo was in my neighbourhood when my mother asked him to listen to me. I sang Sefofu sa Jericho with a sharp, sweet voice and that is how I got into music.”
Winnie said Thula Ngwaneso was her breakthrough song.
“It opened many doors for me. Ke rata wena came to me in a dream,” said Winnie.
The singer also presents Amahubo on Dumisa TV.