He became homeless after both parents died: Former Joyous Celebration star Ayanda Shange goes back to the streets

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Ayanda Shange, a former member of the renowned gospel group Joyous Celebration, is preparing to celebrate his 38th birthday on 19 February in a unique and deeply personal way.

He will spend the day with people experiencing homelessness in Lenasia and Soweto, sharing a message of hope and reminding them that even in the darkest of times, there is still a path to redemption. This act of compassion stems from Shange’s own past experiences, having been homeless himself as a teenager.

Shange’s journey is one of remarkable resilience and faith. He grew up in Folweni, KwaZulu-Natal, where his passion for music blossomed alongside his love for soccer. However, tragedy struck early in his life.

“My mum died in 1997 when I was 10 years old, while my dad died in 2003 when I was 15 years old,” he recounts. “Life was upside down after that. I lived with a guardian who ended up selling our home. I faced a lot of abuse as a kid and that led me to the streets because I saw there was peace of mind there. I’d forget about the problems I was facing when I was high.”

His time on the streets, which lasted two to three months, exposed him to the harsh realities of drug abuse. “I was about 15 years old when I left home,” he says. “That’s where I learnt about drugs like glue and weed.” This dark chapter in his life, however, would eventually give way to a brighter future.

Ayanda Shange, just after he changed his life

A pivotal moment arrived when someone from Folweni recognised his talent and offered him a lifeline. “Someone from Folweni who believed in me took me in,” Shange explains. “This was because we’d sit and sing as amaphara. That person would hear me sing and they saw potential in me. He gave me a place to live.”

This act of kindness led him to the Apostolic Church of Christ (PACC), where he found solace and spiritual guidance. “He evangelised and put me at the Apostolic Church of Christ (PACC),” Shange says.

“Although I was 15 years old, it was easy to hear the word when it was shared with me. This was because I already had a church background. My mum and dad were pastors at St John’s Apostolic Faith Mission. So, I grew up in Sunday School and didn’t live another life besides that one. That church showed me the love I never received anywhere.”

This experience profoundly shaped Shange’s life, inspiring him to pay it forward. He now seeks to extend the same hope and love he received to others struggling with homelessness. “My wife, Koketso runs a non-profit organisation called Ngiyakholwa Kuzoguquka Foundation and I asked to partner with her for this,” he explains.

“I told her I wanted to revive hope in my brothers and sisters in the streets. Because I’m in Joburg, I’ll be doing it in Lenasia, Soweto. We’ll cook for them and share the word of God. I’ll also share my story.”

His message of hope goes beyond spiritual guidance; it’s a testament to the power of resilience and second chances. “I also want to remind them that the fact that they’re still alive means there’s still hope,” he says.

“Some of them should swallow their pride and go back home. We’re going there to show them that someone like me was once like them. It’ll be a three-hour session before I have my day with my family because that’s how I usually spend my birthday.”

Shange’s musical journey, which includes his time with Joyous Celebration and the release of his solo album “The Altar of Praise Volume 1” in 2020, has been deeply intertwined with his faith. The album, inspired by his personal journey, reflects his unwavering belief in God’s power.

“What people don’t know is that my second name is David,” he explains. “I read the book of Chronicles and got inspired by how king David used to praise God, he was a crazy Psalmist and so am I. It made sense to me and I ran with it”, he says. “Kuningi uThixo angenzele khona”, he adds, a testament to the profound impact God has had on his life.

The creation of the album was a challenging but ultimately rewarding process. He undertook seven shows across different provinces to raise funds, demonstrating his dedication and perseverance.

“Preparing for the album was not easy,” he admits. “I made seven shows in different provinces in order to accumulate funds for the DVD. This was exhausting and not all shows were a success, but I depended on God to make it happen and it did, exceedingly and abundantly so.” The album stands as a testament to his faith, hard work, and the unwavering support of his wife and family.

The album is amazing. It consists of twenty-three powerful tracks and most of them are composed by him. The list of artists featured is astounding and includes Sipho Makhabane, Rophiwa Manyanga, Xolani Jwaga, Hlengiwe Mnguni from Zimbabwe and Malusi Mbokazi.


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