GABORONE - It was a night of song and dance on Saturday as Metropolitan Botswana hosted their first choir spectacular.

The event comprised of the finest gospel performers: Shumie Odirile as well as South Africans Keke and Soweto Gospel Group.

Shumie dished out hymns in an American style.

Dressed in a white suit, Shumie and his band did wonders on stage, glorifying the Lord with praises proving to the almost filled hall that he has what it takes.

He was later joined by Bianca who also sang her lungs out.

Shumie, who is also a pastor, began his music ministry at the age of seven singing and playing the keyboard and by the age of 14 he was serving as a music director at his church.

He recorded his first album in 2002 entitled Tanki wa Motswana.

He has served at the Trinity Broadcasting Network mixing sound for the internationally recognised Praise the Lord Television.

He has also worked with the likes of The Clark Sisters, Kirk Franklin, Deitrick Haddon, Benny Hinn and Juanita Bynum.

South African gospel singer Keke did not disappoint either and gave Batswana the most marvelous performance they have been craving for.

Despite his big body structure the man can dance and he kept interacting with the audience.

He did justice to the concert and kept everybody on the toes.

Keke joined Joyous Celebration from 2000-2001 as one of the choirs lead singers.

His breakthrough came after he landed the role in the hit show Umoja.

He has achieved Platinum sales for his second album Revival and third one Living testimony.

All hell broke loose, when the long awaited Grammy award winning Soweto Gospel Choir got on stage and gave exactly what the show was about: Gospel Spectacular.

Dressed in colourful traditional attires, the group danced like there was no tomorrow, keeping the crowd glued on. Their performance, constituted mostly traditional and Zulu dances.

They performed some of the peoples favorite like Tlhohonolofatsa, Seteng Sediba, Avulegile Masango and I have got a home.

Looking at the group, one could be reminded of African churches, where people would dance and sing their lungs out praising the Lord.

The Soweto Gospel Choir was formed in 2002 to celebrate the unique and inspirational power of African gospel music.

The 26-member choir, under the direction of David Mulovhedzi and Beverly Bryer, draws on the best talent from the many churches in and around Soweto.

The choir is dedicated to sharing the joy of faith through music with audiences around the world.

The choir won its first award in 2003, a Helpmann Award, Australias prestigious Arts Award for Best Contemporary Music Concert.

Earlier on Metropolitan Botswana Marketing Communication Officer Ms Diphuka Osman said this was the first time they had organized a show this nature and they would want to make it an annual thing.

Ms Osman said this was her companys way of giving back to the community it operates within and she applauded everybody who made the show a success. BOPA