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"

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

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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?"

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

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

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

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

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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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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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20. Sam Cheka, 2018
"carol lenin absolutely"

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

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

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

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

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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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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."

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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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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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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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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 🙏😇🙏"

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

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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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60. MatlinLtd Co, 2020
"I agree."

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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!"
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Google translate from Xhosa to English: “for God hath dealt bountifully with us”

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