Rebecca Malope honoured with life-size statue as she celebrates 35 years in the industry

Rebecca Malope has been honoured with a life-size statue of her. 

In celebration of 35 years in the gospel music industry, the Order of Ikhamanga recipient and singer was showered with many gifts at a Gospel Music Festival in Mpumalanga hosted in her honour at The Bears Palace recently. 

Artist Lungelo Gumede unveiled a statue of the gospel star with her signature hair cut donning a purple dress and black heels — a statue he says took him four weeks to complete. 

“I fell over immediately after seeing the statue because nobody told me that I was going to receive it. I didn't even imagine that someone would think of honouring me in such a big way. I love my twin (that's what I call the statue) so much. It's with me in my house right now,” Rebecca told TshisaLIVE.

Among the gifts she received, the singer was given a R10,000 voucher from Mpumalanga Tourism and a 'Dr Rebecca Honorary Award'. 

Gospel stars Sipho Makhabane, Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Takie Ndou, Ayanda Ntanzi, Solly Mahlangu, Sipho Ngwenya, Ncandweni Christ Ambassadors, Lusanda and Kholeka were among the singers who graced the stage to celebrate Rebecca's legacy. 

“I have always been against the trend of only celebrating people only once they've passed on because that robs the person of feeling and experiencing the love and appreciation that people have for them. My prayer to God has always been that I get to experience the impact I've had in the world while I'm alive so being celebrated like this has been a real big dream come true.”

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Having been in the gospel industry for 35 years being able to travel the world and spread the gospel, Rebecca describes her journey as, “out of this world”.

“I have been able to touch more hearts than I could have imagined as a little girl working at a tobacco farm back in Mbombela. I have been honoured, celebrated and given my flowers while I am alive and able to smell them. It's been an incredible 35 years.”

Rebecca added she hopes her legacy can inspire other young people to believe that anything is possible.

“As a person who grew up with so much suffering and pain, God has lifted me from poverty to prosperity. I want my life journey to forever be a testimony of encouragement for people to see the power of God and recognise how he can change your life and lift you from where you are to heights you can't even imagine.

“Through my music, I'd like to be remembered as someone who God used as a vessel to touch people's hearts — to heal, to encourage, to uplift and to comfort through music.”

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