Xolani Jwaga on gospel backlash: You can't paint all of Christianity with the same brush

As the conduct of religious leaders comes under the microscope gospel singer Xolani Jwaga has called for religion to not be tarnished by the actions of one or two individuals.

Over the past few months religion has been cast under the spotlight amidst the rape trial of Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso and a "crack down" on the LGBTIQ+ community in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 

Omotoso and two other accused Lusanda Sulani (36) and Zukiswa Sitho (28) face a series of charges including human trafficking, sexual assault and the rape of female congregants in Omotoso's Durban-based church.

Xolani has been following both events and said people should resist the temptation to paint all Christians with the same brush.

"Any institution with good intentions can be cleaned. Take universities for example, if your child goes to one and meets both good and bad people, it does not reflect on the university. The purpose of the university is good. Religion is good but the people who come into it may not be. We can't define religion by one person or how they act.

"If there is a criminal in South Africa that does not make all South Africans criminals."

Xolani is all about peace and plans to return home to Kwa-Thema in Springs to fill up the Kwa-Thema Stadium next month with his message.

He will be joined by the likes of Lebo Sekgobela, Thina Zungi and Sipho Ngwenya. Xolani's friend and former Scandal! actor Kagiso Modupe will MC the event.

"This is a way for me to say thank you to the community that raised me. Many artists leave the area and forget about it but I want to show my gratitude to the community. They have always supported me and I want to bring them something special. I need to sell 10,000 tickets to fill up the stadium. I am nowhere near that but I believe it will be achieved."

Xolani has seen his star rise since his hit single Hosanna took off in gospel circles and he even has a fan in Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini.

"I performed for him at his birthday celebrations this week and he thanked me. Afterwards he came to me and we spoke about my music. I had breakfast with his advisors on Wednesday and they took down my number. We are looking at working with each other in the future."

Talk about a royal stamp of approval!