Blessed and highly favoured.
Many Christians may often find themselves falling into the trap of acting perfect and not admitting when they are not okay and that they need help. Whenever asked how they are, the standard response is “blessed and highly favoured”.
Gospel singer Mahalia Buchanan Hermanstein (35) is not that kind of Christian. She opens up to Drum about releasing new music and dealing with the loss of her mother in 2022. She says watching her mother’s condition deteriorate affected her faith.
“My mom got ill, so ill that she was even bedridden and I really struggled with that. She became sick at the end of 2019, and it really took its toll on me. I was very frustrated, struggling to see her in so much pain,” she says.
“You know, it is very hard to watch a loved one lose their life daily. There were times when I felt like God was ghosting me because I prayed so hard and believed him for a healing for her. But it felt like he was not keeping his end of the bargain.
“I fell into depression, and I had a creative block. Since then, I realise that even her being ill was something that brought me closer to him because it was me that was not meditating on the word or praying as I should have been. I was the one whose convictions changed. I am the one that drifted and God was waiting for me. We reconnected and I built intimacy.”
She may be dealing with grief daily, but things are not as hard as they used to be.
Read more | ‘The gospel of Jesus Christ doesn’t need you to be so serious’ – Ayanda Ntanzi on his rebrand
“She was my prayer partner. Her passing has affected my worship because I do not have that one extra ear and that other person to keep me accountable to myself and God. But also, I have lost someone who always created an atmosphere of prayer, and I miss that.”
Despite her mom being gone, Mahalia still carries her with her.
“I still keep to her teachings and her advice. It has never been about fame or the money, but really about remembering that the purpose is to bring people closer to Christ.
Mahalia got into the gospel industry at the tender age of 14 years old, singing with gospel giants such as Benjamin Dube.
She has been away from the public eye for a while, and says her new music feels like a comeback.
“I have been away for a long time. This feels like a comeback because my last full body of work was in 2015 and I released a single in 2020. But since then, there has been so much growth. After I left Joyous, I focused on establishing myself as an artist and a minister of the gospel.
“I have personally never believed in releasing music just for the sake of it. I have never wanted that pressure to release simply because I have not done so in a long time. I believe in putting my all into my work and producing work that will still be relevant to audiences even after 10 years.”
This year, fans can expect new music and she says the foundation is the word. She does not have dates yet, but together with her team, they are planning to have a live recording this year. Her EP, The Ground We Stand On, is available on streaming platforms.
“God responds to his word. I believe in making word-based music. Music that will drive you to go back to the word. Music that is meant to cultivate a love for God’s word.
Read more | Former Joyous Celebration singer Ncebakazi Msomi - 'I pray about everything!'
“For this generation, I believe it is important to build believers that know God. For new believers to know the word, so they can stand on the promises of God. I personally have no sound or even inspiration outside of God’s word. I need to hear from the father in order to make music that will speak to his people.
“It is imperative to go to the source in order to be a meaningful worshipper. Intimacy with God builds a sound and solutions because ultimately, when people listen to our music, they are looking for solutions.”
She got married in 2021 and she could not be happier.
“Oooohhh . . . chile! God really resides there by married life,” she laughs.
“Nothing can build you like marriage and together you navigate towards Christ. It is not always easy, but it is wonderful to be able to hold each other accountable in the word. Daily, together we strive to reflect the image of God. It is truly a blessing to have someone who holds God’s purpose for my life so high.”
The couple is living between South Africa and London.
