Africans Discuss The "Proper" Attire For Women Singing In Gospel Choirs (Comments From A YouTube Discussion Thread About South Africa's Joyous Celebration Gospel Choir)

MY Joyous Celebration, November 2, 2015

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a 2015 YouTube video of the South African Gospel choir Joyous Celebration performing the song "More Than A Conqueror" live at Carnival City, 2012.

This post includes the Zulu and English words that are sung for this song. In addition, this pancocojams post includes selected comments from the discussion thread for this YouTube video. This compilation gives special attention to the comments about the low cut, Western style dresses that were worn by female members of the choir, with the exception of the soloist.

The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural, religious, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Joyous Celebration and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

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LYRICS - MORE THAN A CONQUEROR
(as sung by Joyous Celebration; discussion thread comment by Boitirelo Chakalisa, 2019)

UJesu unginqobele (Jesus is the conqueror)
Ngingaphezu komnqobi (More than any other)
UJesu unginqobele  (Jesus is the conqueror)
Ngingaphezu (More than)

Ngingaphezu (I am More)
Phezu komnqobi (More than a conqueror)
NgoJes’ iNkosi yami (Through Jesus my Lord)
-snip-
I believe that these words are in Zulu and English. 

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SELECTED COMMENTS
(With special attention to comments about the women's dresses.  These are only a sample of the comments about how the women were dressed.)

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.  

2017
1. BONTLE L MOOKO
"I only understand English, that other part what are they saying..please help me"

**
Reply
2. THato aka poppy zia
"BONTLE L MOOKO is the same thing but now they singing in Zulu( nginga phezu komnqobi)"

**
Reply
3. Ronald Tapfuma
"still the same thing in Ndebele"

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4. Ofentse Hamilton KAWE
"Beautiful song but how can the ladies expose their particulars like that?"

**
Reply
5. Alex Stivo
"HAMILTON KAWE I think the master who leads them is a man so women ♀ can't bear but just in case to follow him 😂 😂 😂 🙌"

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Reply
6. linda tutu
"HAMILTON KAWE sometimes you dont realize they are that exposed."

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Reply
7. StrongnBeautiful, 2020
"Particulars 😄 Smh."

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8. clovis larsson
"nice song, but how can your ladies dress like this, who are you singing for the Lord or who, very bad"

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Reply 
9. God's Phenomenal Girl, 2018
"Job 35:8 Your wickedness affects only a man like yourself and your righteousness only the sons of men..God looks at our inner man, our hearts not the outer us not dressing..it affects us sons of men but not God.."

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Reply 
10. StrongnBeautiful, 2020
"You're absolutely right Clovis. The devil is a LIAR! "Be ye holy, for I am holy." "

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Reply
11. mfihlakalo dlamini, 2021
"If this was done by whites no one would complain, but because it's our race so they should be told how to dress? We have been following the choir wayback and that's their style so i don't see a need to say so much on a sixteenth installment. Keep going JC as loyal fans we listen to the message not the person delivering it and most importantly not how they are dressed."

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12. Victor G. Setuagbe
"Your songs are just a glorious. waooo, such precious talents of Africa. But I keep wondering what at all could be your motive behind these kind of costumes your ladies keep putting on for almost all your performances.

1 Timothy 2:9a (MKJV)  In the same way also, I desire that women adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and sensibleness...

Please these songs are supposed to be Spiritual songs and nothing else. Thank you."

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Reply
13. New Original COGIC
"Most are Zulu's and it is not considered nakedness if the women are barechested in their culture"

**
Reply
14. StrongnBeautiful, 2020
"@New Original COGIC  When we invite Jesus into our hearts and decide to live for him, HE alone must become our culture. Jesus Christ is a culture all by himself! And in that culture he expects modesty."

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15. carol lenin
"I love your songs so much but please improve on decency in your dress codes especially ladies. The Lord doesn't change. He is the same yesterday today and forever more. So I don't expect an explanation of generational thing. We are Christians and we should practise what we preach. It makes me listen the to your audios rather watching the videos."

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Reply
16. Jacque Brago
"Pls you people should dress properly and let's stop saying God deals with heart not the outward but is in that same scriptures that tells us that what comes out of a man is what has been full in his heart meaning how we dress comes out from the heart so you people should dress descently and I really love your songs."

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Reply
17. Faith Netshiozwi, 2018
"carol lenin I see no problem though...But hey..Its your opinion"

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Reply
18. NKALA PRECIOUS, 2018
"ae'm Anna Ewa its not a matter of being a western , I am a South African if you are in Christ you must change no culture and Christianity don't go together"

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Reply
19. Miriam Luvutse, 2018
"The truth sets us free!  Been wondering too about the decency thing here..... it gives me shivers."

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Reply
20. Sam Cheka, 2018
"carol lenin absolutely"

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Reply
21. Sylvia Atieno, 2018
"anyone who finds this dressing finds something to sexualize here and thats just sick,...be blessed by the song and move on"

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Reply
22. Miss Charlie Hackett, 2019
"THOU SHALT NOT JUDGE!!!!!!!!   WOW! You are willing to violate a commandment? Only GOD can decide about what they wear! You don't live in a glass house!! STOP JUDGING OTHERS!!! I love their singing to the Lord and so does HE!!! Sing sing sing and nevermind these judgmental fools breaking the commandments! Each of us will answer ALONE for our sins! Silly woman judging as if she is perfect! No. Sing, dress and be accountable for YOURSELF. DO NOT JUDGE!  There is a reason it is a commandment! STOP ignoring it! It is at the same level as thou shalt not MURDER so take it seriously and stop judging.

AMEN. Praise GOD and help those who run around judging others...they still don't understand ONLY GOD can judge.  ONLY GOD. ONLY GOD. NOT CAROL!  ONLY GOD."

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Reply
23. Ben the Worshiper, 2019
"The problem is not in them it is in you, so sorry"

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Reply
24. Liz Pasha, 2019
"I also listen to this song without watching video"

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Reply
25. Lord David Tirtowa Kodjo Lembo, 2019
"Hummmm wait until you go n worship with, among the Himbas...We wonder this dress code comes from here."

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Reply
26. StrongnBeautiful, 2020
"It's not judging for a woman of God to speak on things pertaining to the scriptures with other women of God. As true Christians we are supposed to try the spirits and see if they be of God. If you can't tell those outfits are not God's way..🙏🙏"

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27. Caroline Wanjohi
"don't listen to criticizers keep it up"

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Reply
28. Molete Boitshepo
"Caroline Wanjohi I totally agree with you. what matters most it's what comes out of the heart. be strong guys coz people will always find a negative thing to say

But I'm loving the choir it's beautiful INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. LOVE YOU GUYS WHOLEHEARTEDLY"

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Reply
29. Olatoye comfort
"I mean u can't glorify  God  with indecent  dressing"

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Reply
30. Sheila Kimeu, 2018
"Caroline Wanjohi truth be told. and take corrections positively."

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Reply
31. mfihlakalo dlamini, 2021
"Our cultures allows us to dress like that and there is nothing wrong at all. We attend shows to be blessed by the message they diliver not what they are wearing."

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2018

32. hackers mind
"Powerful songs.....but dress code takes your mind back into the world"

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33. James Koleta
"Guys I don't see any problem with there dressing cord because most of this guys are Zulus and they value there culture as any other African language group what comes from the heart matters a lot than what is presented outside"

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34. Onu Tochukwu
"Nice song... Nice instruments... Nice people... but I think the dress code is poor... it doesn't portray Christianity...!!!"

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35. gamu k
"Abo fashion police officers we see you😅😅😂

 

😂your comments are from 2017 benikhupi all this time mara??"

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36. Shateyi
"Pliz get better dresses"

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Reply
37. Fumfon Rosaline, 2020
"Nothing wrong with their clothing, you should instead check your heart and stop judging people. Shalom"

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38. DeCall Music
"i had no option than to put away all your videos bcs of your ladies exposing their bodies..

you sing great but you project immorality."

 **
Reply
39. StrongnBeautiful, 2020
"👏👏👏"

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40. Carolyne wanj
"This song is very powerful and it inspires my heart to worship God more,if the ladies improve on their dress code ,then this will be more powerful..Corrections are meant to make you better."

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Reply
41. Sipho Manqele, 2019
"Everyone on stage don't dress themselves, there's a stylist who provide wardrobe. He consults with bosses and if they say "yes" to whatever look he sells to them, then everyone will wear it. It's not that the ladies picked those outfits, it's a uniform liked by the owners of Joyous Celebration Foundation. They think "The brand" then the individuals on stage."

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Reply
42. StrongnBeautiful, 2020
"Agreed Carolyn. It's never appropriate to have your body exposed as a woman of God whether you're on your own in church. People of God need to be spiritual minded, otherwise, you get mess like this."

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Reply
43. StrongnBeautiful, 2020
"@Sipho Manqele  As true people of God you don't take your que from a "boss" or from a vendor, you take your que from the Holy Spirit, and I can tell you for a FACT, the Holy Spirit did NOT swnd for, or approve these outfits. Be more spiritual 🙏😇🙏"

**
Reply 
44. jackline njeri, 2021
"I agree a powerful song with powerful message, the dress code though.."

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Elice E
45. "powerful song🔥🔥 And I love the diversity in your costumes, we grew up in different cultures and I truly believe what one believes to be modest is not another person's modesty and the Jesus I know looks at the heart. Hence anybody else's interpretation of your heart does not matter."

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Reply
46. StrongnBeautiful, 2020
"Sounds nice, but untrue. These sisters outfits are the definition of inappropriate  especially for public ministry."
-snip-
That word was written in bold font in that discussion thread.

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47. godfrey king
"When white people wear their clothes all you don't have nothing to say praise the Lord nice"

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Reply
48. bernard coulibaly
"it's simple just change yr color"

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2019

49. saj humble
"The song is great but the dressing is very worldly and promiscuous"

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Reply
50. StrongnBeautiful, 2020
"Agree. Not Godly at all. You would think there would be at least ONE woman in the group to explain that, but..."

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Reply
51. @momanyimose
"This is the highest deception in the   church I have ever seen, open breasts at the Altar ofJehovah!!! Just dance, dance all your way to hell..."

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52. Gideon kipkoech
"cover your Breast worshippers!"

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53. The Eagles Gathering
"The song is beautiful, but there is no nakedness in the presence of the Lord. Please have the fear of God even in your dressing"

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54. Stella Walda
"That Dressing code, No.

The song is awesome💜💜💜"

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55. Manassé Restoré
"There is no culture in serving the Lord, please Ladies put some clothes on! Cover your body completely to worship The I AM that I AM. Thanks. I do love the group, i always worship with you, I'm not judging at all !!!!!"

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Reply
56. StrongnBeautiful, 2020
"Good word my sista. Thank you."

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Reply
57. mfihlakalo dlamini, 2021
"Lol you just did"

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58. Gibbs T Gumbo
"Whilst all of you are talking about what is decent & not...i will  live for that lady dancing in the crowd,i doubt if you all noticed her,SHE IS DANCING FOR JESUS '....... big up JC"

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59. Davies Mataza
"So, no one is paying respect to the pianist and drumist ? He killed it!"

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Reply
60. MatlinLtd Co, 2020
"I agree."

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Reply
61. Steven Levitt, 2021
"The bassist 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥"

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2020
62. StrongnBeautiful
"Idk who came up with the idea for their wardrobe, but they are obviously not spiritual. Sad."

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63. StrongnBeautiful
"First time hearing of this group. Loved the song, then I look down at the video and saw the women's outfits 😯😕😖 People of God, do NOT let the devil fool you with his lies and nonesense. As TRUE people of God, what we wear ALWAYS matters! There is a standard to holiness and it goes far beyond ANY culture. Wonderful praise but please, study your bible more, and 🙏🙏🙏 Also, FIRE your stylist. Thank you. PtL! 😄☺😇"

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64. StrongnBeautiful
"The dress is inappropriate. They need some SPIRITUAL aged women to guide them.  May the Holy Spirit help them, as he continues to use them."

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65. Velmah Hongo
"Powerful song....but DRESSING CODE FOR THE LADIES IS A NO!"

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66. D.J. #watchthisgamerevolves
"Ladies you worshipping god at least cover your bodies properly... Love the songs tho...."

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2021

67. Gladys Ndzinisa
"Ohhh yes we will conquer even covid"

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68.  OBI DANIEL AKACHUKWU
"The song is good. I love the lyrics

Please some of  the #dressing isn't okay.

They are all ministers and should pls be cautious with what they wear"

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69. Steven Viyano
"😭😭😭 This song ministered to me when I had lost faith"

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70. d_yt
"I just love how she gave the mic to the audience. I was literally shouting at my screen "I AM MORE, MORE THAN A CONQUERAAAAAHH THROUGH CHRIST MYYYY LORD!" 😂😂😂"

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71. Melissa Mathema
"so its in middle of the pandemic and i cant help but sing along this amazing song ngoba usinqobele mpela uThixo!"
-snip-
Google translate from Xhosa to English: “for God hath dealt bountifully with us”

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Video Clips Of Audiences At South African Gospel Choir Joyous Celebration Concerts With Yellow Hand Held "uMpampampas"

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Update: June 24, 2025 [title change and a few content changes]

This pancocojams post presents information, comments, and video examples of the yellow clapping devices that are held by a number of audience attendees at various concerts by the South African Gospel choir Joyous Celebration.

A video of the uMpampampa instrument that is played by some members of the South African Christian denomination Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA) is also included in this post.

The Addendum of this post showcases some examples video clips of Joyous Celebration concert audiences where the audiences don't appear to hold these yellow clapping devices.

The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, folkloric, and religious purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this pancocojams post and all those who are featured in videos that are embedded in this post.

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DISCLAIMER
I'm African American and acknowledge that I'm an outsider to South African culture and to the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA) religious denomination. I've never traveled to South Africa (or to any other African country for that matter), and don't speak any language but English. In addition, I've not been fortunate enough to attend any Joyous Celebration concert in the United States (as I presume there have been such concerts).

I'm publishing this post because it suddenly occurred to me yesterday when I watched a Joyous Celebration YouTube video that the yellow hand held pillow-looking clapping instruments  that some audience members held are very similar to the uMpampampa hand drum that are found in this pancocojams post that I recently published: https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/10/videos-examples-of-south-africas-urcsa.html "Videos Examples Of South Africa's URCSA Denomination (with focus on uMpampampa (hand drum)".

"Pillow-looking clapping devices" was my term for these musical accompaniment devices before I learned about the term "uPampampa" which is one of the Xhosa terms for those hand held instruments. Those instruments are played by some members of the URCSA church during their worship services. 

I've found very little information or comments online about the URCSA churches' uMpampampa musical instrument. And I've found even less information or comments online about the yellow clapping devices that many Joyous Celebration concert attendees use during some of that Gospel choir's concerts. The images of  Joyous Celebration concert audiences using  these "clappers" are scattered throughout various Joyous Celebration music videos.

The 2015 Joyous Celebration video entitled "Hallelujah Nkateko - Lihle's version" includes a
few clips of Joyous Celebration choir members holding these yellow clappers.     

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTES
The yellow hand held "clappers" that are held by some Joyous Celebration concert attendees appear to be a smaller version of the uMpampampa (hand drum) that is performed by some men and women during services of the South African Christian denomination Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa (URCSA). I've read references to the uMpampampa as a "pillow" and referents to the smaller "Joyous Celebration" device as a "cushion", but it appears from my reading that both of these terms are considered to be incorrect and are frown upon by some South Africans.

Some scenes in the 2015 Joyous Celebration YouTube video entitled "Hallelujah Nkateko- Lihle's Version" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUrnIYOpR-w show a few choir members holding these yellow clappers. There may be other videos of Joyous Celebration choir members with these clappers, but the clappers are usually shown in some images of Joyous Celebration audiences. Those screen shots that I've found of Joyous Celebration audiences show them having the yellow clapper affixed to their left hand by an elastic (rubber band) and being hit with their right hand. Presumably, these "clappers" result in a louder sound than that which would have been made by clapping hands. Also, using one hand to clap this device means that your hands won't hurt as much as they would if you were clapping both your hands together.  

In contrast, the URCSA's "clappers" are played like a musical instruments with while the men and women playing them dance along with other worshipers. Also, the URCSA "uMpampampa that I've seen in videos are either white, or red or blue, or black, and not the yellow which appears to be the only color the Joyous Celebration clappers have. The URCSA "hand drums" are sometimes (it appears incorrectly) referred to as "pillows"* and the hand held yellow devices that some Joyous Celebration concert attendees hold are sometimes descriptively, but again probably incorrectly referred to as "cushions".

I don't know when these "clappers" began to be held by Joyous Celebration audiences or choir members and I don't know how widespread this custom has been and remains in 2019 (when this editorial comment was written) among Joyous Celebration choir members and their concert attendees and/or among other South African audiences at other religious church services or concerts. Furthermore, I wonder if the uMpampampa or the smaller versions of these clappers that I've noticed being held by some Joyous Celebration audiences/choir members have ever been used by audiences during non-religious concerts or other secular gatherings.

The Addendum below showcases examples of some Joyous Celebration videos which don't appear to have any shots of audiences or choir members holding these yellow clappers.

The only information that I recall reading at this time about Joyous Celebration audiences' use of these yellow "clappers" is given below.

My questions about these musical/clapping devices aren't meant to detract from paramount purpose of these videos as religious songs - to praise God. However, for the historical, cultural, and folkloric record please share any information that you know about uMpampampa and/or the Joyous Celebration audiences use of these yellow clappers.

Thank you.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT AND/OR CLAPPING DEVICE THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF THIS POST
Excerpt #1:
Here's a portion of a 2005 South African dissertation that I found online that refers to an instrument that appears to describe the hand drum known as "uMpampampa":
From https://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10413/5102/Malembe_Sipho_S_2005.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

South African popular Gospel Music
In the Post-Apartheid Era: Genre, Production, Mediation and Consumption.
Sipho S. Malembe

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the degree Masters in Music (MMus),
At the School of Music at the University of KwaZulu-Natal
Howard College
..."A number of early artists/groups stood out remarkably, in clearly demarcating and defining the genre of local 'Gospel'. Without going into depth with their music, I want to highlight a few such artists/groups. One of the very early 'Gospel' groups is Amodadana aseWesile. This group began in the mid 70's. Their music is hymnal, which is a direct influence of the missionaries' music. Their music is also characterised by translating well-known missionaries' hymns into local indigenous languages, as pointed to by Muwowo, in Table
2.1.

As he suggested, this translation alters the rhythm into a more African-oriented one. The music also has a forward-driving, danceable rhythm. The very use of the percussive sounds, like 'tshiiif called 'isifutho', and 'isqamelo', a small hand-held pillow like instrument; to emphasise certain beats of the bar in a phrase, emphasises and strengthens the rhythm of the musIc."
-snip-
I've added italics to highlight sentences in this passage.

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Excerpt #2
From https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/44f5/464c1570df0258d80affad087a77371f5782.pdf
"Echoes of orality in Christian Xhosa songs
M.M. Somniso
School of Language, Media and Communication
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
PORT ELIZABETH

Umpampampa: An umpampampa is a Bible-sized cushion covered with leather. It is held in one hand and beaten with the other. This is done to produce more sound and to regulate the rhythm."...
-snip-
I've noticed in several discussion threads of South African music videos (where men and/or women are playing this hand drum) that some people (my guess is that they are not from South Africa) think that this hand held drum is either a pillow or the church members' Bible (inside the pillow or without the covering for the Bible although the actual Bible isn't in there". In the discussion threads I've happened upon, when people refer to these instruments that way, South Africans are quick to correct them and share other terms they use for uMpampampas such as iBeat. "....

An example of such a discussion is given as Excerpt #3 below.
-snip-
This passage is quoted in https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/10/information-about-south-africas.html Information About South Africa's Amakhorasi (Gospel) Music (From An Excerpt Of A 2016 Book & A 2005 Doctoral Thesis)
(Part II of a four part pancocojams series that showcases brief excerpts about certain forms of Black church music in Southern Africa).

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Excerpt #3
From the discussion thread for Joyous Celebration - Hi Hanya Mahala (Live at Carnival City, 2012) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsUa2rENH4Y
debo adediran, 2018
"i have been listening to this songs for years. its hasnt gone dry in my ears. GOD was truly in the concert. pls whats the yellow thing they used to clap called and any suggestions where i can get it pls? thank you"

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REPLY
Mr R, 2018
"debo adediran
Traditionally, the Methodist Church which has influenced the gospel music and dancing in the RSA has been using cushions to bring out a beat when singing. Such beats were sometimes done without musical instruments. It is therefore upon such background that the popular Methodist feel is brought into the Joyous Celebration concerts."

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A SHOWCASE VIDEO OF URCSA uMpampampa (hand drum) with a comment exchange about that instrument

URCSA Khayelitsha Ndikhangele Ngobubele 334



Sivuyisiwe Lutango , Mar 14, 2018
-snip-
Here's some comments from this video's discussion thread (with numbers added for referencing purposes only.)
1. Obakeng Boshielo, 2018
"i don't know what the lyrics are but i can feel the energy through the phone 😀 I love the way they hitting the pillows"

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REPLY
2. sihle mabombo, 2019
"It's called umPhafphaf"

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REPLY
3. Des, 2019
"its not the pillows, Its their Bibles or Worship books"

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REPLY
4. Thandeka Malinga, 2019
"It's not a pillow nor a worship book but we call it a Beat"

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REPLY
5. OBAKENG MICHAEL, 2019
"Ke beat...or bithi😂😂"

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REPLY
6. Sanelisiwe Lurai, 2019
"😂😂😂 I'm dead ngu "Mpampampa" sis or iBeat"
-snip-
Here’s what I think this comment means: “I’m dead” is a colloquial American expression that means “I’m dying of laughter”. I don’t know what “ngu” means. After writing that word it appears to me that Sanelisiwe Lurai then wrote the two names that are used for what was referred to as a “pillow”. The word “sis” in that sentence is a referent for the female commenter (i.e. “sis” as a short form of the word “sister”.)

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REPLY
7. Phiwe Mpahlwa, 2019
"Lol as Xhosa's we call it umpampampa"

**
REPLY
8. Veronica Tlhoni, 2019
"Reebitsa beat love"

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SHOWCASE VIDEO CLIPS OF JOYOUS CELEBRATION AUDIENCE WITH YELLOW CLAPPERS
Example #1:
Joyous Celebration - Ngiphete' Ungqo



joyousVEVO, Oct 19, 2015

[...]

Song: Ngiphete Ungqo
Artist: Joyous Celebration
Album: Joyous Celebration 16 [2012]
-snip-
From the wikipedia article about Joyous Celebration which lists the dates and names of this South African Gospel choir's albums: "Joyous Celebration 16: Royal Priesthood - Live in Johannesburg at Carnival City's Big Top Arena (2012)"
-snip-
A good clip from this video that shows these clappers is at 1.30, but these yellow clapping devices can be seen at other times in audience shots in this video.
-snip-
This is a Xhosa song. Here's a comment about the song's meaning:
Bongumenzi Dlamini, 2017
"This song says we don't worry for we have the real gospel....".
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/01/south-africas-joyous-celebration-choir.html for a 2018 pancocojams post entitled "South Africa's Joyous Celebration Choir Featuring Nobathembu Mabeka - "Ngiphete' Ungqo" (information, video, & lyrics)"

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Example #2: Joyous Celebration - Hi Hanya Mahala (Live at Carnival City, 2012)



joyousVEVO20, Aug 9, 2019

Music video by Joyous Celebration performing Hi Hanya Mahala (Live at Carnival City, 2012). (C) 2012 Sony Music Entertainment Africa (Pty) Ltd/Joyous Celebration

[...]

Song: Hi Hanya Mahala
Artist: Joyous Celebration
Album: Joyous Celebration 16 [2012]
-snip-
A good clip from this video that shows these clappers is at 3.47-3:51, but these yellow clapping devices can be seen at other times in audience shots in this video.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/01/south-africas-joyous-celebration-choir_28.html
January 28, 2018

South Africa's Joyous Celebration Choir (16) - "Hi Hanya Mahala" (video & lyrics). The lyrics to this song (along with an English translation) are found in this post.

Commenters shared that this song is sung in Shangaan (Xitsonga) - the language spoken by the Tsonga people of southern Africa.

Here's a portion of a comment written in 2013 on that discussion thread:
"Hi Hanya Mahala (We are Living For Free)" by Mercy Ndlovu (Joyous Celebration 16)

1:(Solo:) Ka Jeso wamahala na waku xava ulava wini?
(Between a Jesus you can buy and one that’s free which do you want?)
(All:) Ndzi lava mahala (I want the free one)
(Solo:) Ai angana yini? (What does He have?)
(All:) Angana vutomi, bya kuhanya na kuhanyisa, alokose
(He has life, life to live and to heal)"...

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Example #3: Joyous Celebration - Yesu Wena UnguMhlobo (Live At The CTICC, Cape Town, 2019) (Live)



joyousVEVO, Apr 18, 2019

Music video by Joyous Celebration performing Yesu Wena UnguMhlobo (Live At The CTICC, Cape Town, 2019) (Live). (C) 2019 Sony Music Entertainment Africa (Pty) Ltd/Joyous Celebration Foundation

-snip-
A good clip from this video that shows these clappers is at 3.41, but these yellow clapping devices can be seen at other times in audience shots in this video.

Joyous Celebration is paying homage to the South African Methodist Church by singing one of their classic songs and wearing clothing that is the same or approximates the style of clothing that is worn by members of that denomination.

Here's the Xhosa lyrics for this song (and their English translation) from that video's discussion thread

Yesu! Wena unguMhlobo
Jesus! You are a friend
Umhlobo womphefumulo
A soulmate
Ndiza kuWe undincede
I come to You for help
Uncede le ntliziyo
Help this heart × 5

Themba limbi andinalo
I have no other hope
Endingabamba lona
That I can hold onto
Nqaba yimbi andinayo
I have no other refuge
Endingangena kuyo
That I can go onto × 6
Amen

[Hymn 195 Methodist Church of Southern Africa]

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