Born (10 March 1986) and raised in the township of Umlazi, singer/songwriter Sibusiso Desmond Mthembu, famously known as SbuNoah, is loved by all South Africans. Let’s take a journey on his music career and see his rise to fame. After struggling with getting into university for 2 years, his musical abilities took him to the finals of the competition known as the EMI/Backstage Superstar Competition, where he was the runner-up. The following year, SbuNoah moved to Johannesburg to further his education. During his 1st year at CIDA, a virtually free university in the heart of JHB, he was chosen as one of the students to go to the United States of America as part of the Oprah/IYL leadership programme. It was upon his return that he was granted an opportunity by the Gaziano family from the USA, Boston, to study at a medical school in South Africa. He then later enrolled at the University of Witwatersrand where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Anatomy (Medical Cell Biology) and Physiology (Experimental). SbuNoah’s musical and spiritual growth was groomed at his church where he has served as a worship leader since 2008. It was here where he was spotted by one of the Joyous Celebration founders who saw his love and passion of serving God through praise and worship and invited him to join the big ensemble known as Joyous Celebration. He joined Joyous in 2012 during their 3rd instalment of Joyous Rewind where he led the song “We bless your name medley“. He then recorded Joyous Celebration 17 where he led the traditional Maskandi song called “ÜNkulunkulu Uyang’thanda” which was very well received and made him popular across the country. Since then he has led songs such as “Ümoya Praise Medley” in Joyous Celebration 18, “NginoJesu Medley” and “Hallelujah Nkateko (Lihle’s Version)” in Joyous Celebration 19, co-lead a tribute to the late Lihle Swazi called “UJesu Ulidwala” in Joyous Celebration 19, as well as the self-composed track “Ngiphephile” on Joyous Celebration 20; all of which were all very well received in the gospel circle. His talent and gift has been noticed even outside the country, having travelled and performed for audiences in Swaziland, Botswana, Lesotho, London (UK) just to name a few. He has also established himself as a song writer, penning down songs for the likes of Joyous Celebration, Nothando Hlophe (Women In Praise) just to name a few. His occasional appearances on popular gospel TV programmes like Gospel Classics, Its Gospel Time and many others on One Gospel and other channels has made SbuNoah a household name. Besides also working as a voiceover artist, SbuNoah is the new host of the popular programme on its 2nd season called Imvuselelo on Dumisa TV DStv channel 340 which airs every Friday at 6pm from the 2nd of September 2016. Apart from Joyous Celebration, he has worked with a number of established artists including international star Vashawn Mitchell, Swazi Dlamini, Tebello Sukwene, Lufuno Dagada, Tshepo Mngoma just to name a few. He has also worked for major events including Joy of Jazz 2014, Choral Music Awards 2014 and I want to sing Gospel 2014. All the experience he has gained over the years has lead him to branch out and record his 2 self-composed singles titled “Ngizwa Amandla” and “Sizoshumayela”, scheduled for released later in the year in preparation for his much anticipated debut album. Outside singing, SbuNoah does MCing for major events inside and outside the country. He is also enjoys doing motivational speaking in schools and communities. SbuNoah is very passionate about young people and he believes they are the future of this country. He is the sole founder of “SbuNoah’s Ark”, a non-profit organisation that caters for orphans in lower primary schools (from his community of Umlazi and Inanda for now) by providing them with uniform, school fees, books and stationary as well as workshops to motivate them to rise above their circumstances. He is also involved with a number of organization that are about motivating and inspiring young people to get an education and follow their dreams. When he is not doing all that he is at churches running praise and worship workshops. He says his inspirations are his three Moms; Thembi Mthembu who gave birth to him and raised him to put God first and strive for education; Grace Mahlaba who gave him a chance to be the best he can be; and Prof. Mamokgethi Phakeng, who inspires him on a daily bases, supports and believes in his dreams and has made him the man he is today. My Videos Joyous Celebration 17 (Sibusiso Mthembu) – UNkulunkulu Uyang’thanda JC 17 Disc 1(Mthunzi Namba – Sweet Jesus) Joyous Celebration 18 (Sibusiso Mthembu) – Umoya Praise Medley Joyous Celebration – Umoya Praise Medley Joyous Celebration 19 (Sibusiso Mthembu) – NginoJesu Medley Joyous Celebration 19 (Sibusiso Mthembu) – Ngino Jesu Medley Joyous Celebration 19 (Sibusiso Mthembu) – Hallelujah Nkateko (Lihle’s Version) Joyous Celebration 19 – Hallelujah Nkateko (Lihle’s version)