Guyana and Barbados recently benefited from visits of a woman of substance in the name of Musa Njoko, a South African Zulu gospel singer who gave inspirational testimonies through songs and inspired many with her life story of living with HIV for 16 years but has not given up on life and is closer to God.
Described as a fashion designer and HIV activist, Musa made Guyana her first stop on her first visit to the Caribbean.
According to a press release from the Evangelical Association of the Caribbean (EAC), as the first Zulu gospel singer to visit the region, Njoko was warmly welcomed everywhere she went.
The focus of her visit to Guyana was to take part in the EDGE Youth Conference around the theme “Don’t judge me, you don’t know me.” EDGE stands for Every Day God Experience.
On July 18 Guyanese got a taste of her entertainment skills when she gave her first gospel concert in the Caribbean at Central Assembly of God.
“Hundreds turned out to meet this powerful African woman with the golden voice.
As Njoko sang and shared her testimony of courage, faith and hope in the face of being infected with HIV 16 years ago many lives were changed and the public perception of HIV began to change,” the press release said.
She also co-facilitated a workshop on sexuality with Bishop Gerry Seale, Secretary General of the EAC. The workshop was held at Heavenly Light World Outreach Ministries in Albouystown and was attended by 45 teenagers and pastors.
The South African then winged off to Barbados and “took it by storm during her one-week visit.
The first Zulu gospel singer to minister in the Caribbean, Musa was embraced by Barbadians who were captivated by her music and her testimony.”
Ministering twice at The People’s Cathedral and on her final night at the Abundant Life Assembly, Musa took those who attended “into an authentic African worship experience singing in Zulu and using African rhythms to enliven her performances.”
According to the release the audiences danced and sang along with her as this petite woman opened her heart and shared music and songs she had written herself.
It was stated that at every opportunity Musa shared her testimony of courage, hope and faith as she told of her battle with HIV which she contracted in late 1993.
Musa’s song “Izethembiso” was an instant hit wherever she went in Barbados.
“Again and again audiences requested she sing it as they danced and rejoiced with her,” the release said.
“Izethembiso” speaks about the powerful promises of God that cannot be taken away and utilises infectious African rhythms.
Musa stated that she feels that God has used her Caribbean visit to take her to a new level of ministry and maturity. She has vowed to return at the earliest opportunity.
Bishop Seale commented, “Musa has changed the atmosphere in Barbados as it relates to HIV. Her courage and her life of hard work and success have shown Barbadians that HIV is a disease that can be prevented and can be controlled. She has also demonstrated in her life that HIV is not an impenetrable barrier to living life in abundance, achieving one’s goals and aspirations, and fulfilling one’s God-given destiny.”
EAC partnered with UNICEF Barbados, Tearfund (UK), the Barbados Evangelical Association, and the Guyana Evangelical Fellowship to make Musa’s visit possible and is a follow-up to the survey of the sexual practices of youth attending Evangelical Churches in Antigua, St Lucia and St Vincent which was conducted in 2009 by EAC in partnership with UNICEF.
