Lebo Sekgobela

Lebo Sekgobela is a South African gospel singer and worship minister whose soulful voice and deeply devotional music have made her one of the recognizable female voices in contemporary South African gospel. Born on September 19, 1981, in the Vaal area of Gauteng, she grew up in difficult circumstances and was raised by a single mother who worked as a domestic worker. Those early experiences, together with her Christian upbringing, became important parts of the story behind her music.

Sekgobela began singing while she was still in high school and gradually developed her career through church ministry, live performances and work as a backing vocalist. Before becoming a successful solo artist, she sang with established gospel musicians including Vicky Vilakazi and William Sejake, both associated with Joyous Celebration. Her solo career took shape with the release of Ithemba Lami in 2013, but it was her 2016 album Restored and its hugely successful song “Lion of Judah” that brought her widespread national recognition.

Known for combining contemporary choir arrangements with traditional gospel influences, Sekgobela approaches music primarily as an expression of worship. Her songs often center on faith, hope, trust in God and spiritual perseverance. Over the years, she has developed from a church singer and backing vocalist into an award-winning recording artist whose music has reached audiences across South Africa and beyond.

Quick Facts

Early Life and Background

Lebo Sekgobela grew up in the Vaal area of Gauteng in a household that faced considerable financial hardship. She was raised by her mother, who worked as a domestic worker. Despite their circumstances, music was present in her upbringing, and Sekgobela has spoken about how her mother’s strong singing voice influenced her own development as a vocalist.

Her Christian faith also became an important part of her identity at an early age. In a 2026 interview, Sekgobela recalled a significant spiritual experience at the age of 15 during a crusade in Orange Farm. She described the experience as a moment that drew her more deeply toward God and strengthened her commitment to a life of faith and worship.

Music gradually became more than an interest. While still in high school, she began singing and eventually went to a recording studio for the first time. She has recalled that experience as one in which she realized that music was something she genuinely wanted to pursue, even though the path ahead would involve numerous disappointments and rejected auditions.

Beginning of Her Music Career

Sekgobela’s professional journey began largely through the church. She participated in crusades under Evangelist T.A. Ralekholela and developed her abilities as a worship singer. Her early career was not an immediate success. She auditioned for several opportunities, including Coca-Cola Pop Stars, but faced rejection. Instead of abandoning music, she continued singing and developing her craft.

A major step forward came when she began working as a backing vocalist for Vicky Vilakazi and William Sejake. Both singers had connections to Joyous Celebration, one of South Africa’s most influential gospel music institutions. The experience gave Sekgobela valuable exposure to professional gospel performance and helped establish her credibility as a vocalist before she eventually pursued a solo career.

She also spent part of her adult life working outside the music industry. Sekgobela has said that she worked as an administrator at an IT company and also served for many years as a personal assistant to a pastor at her local church. These experiences preceded the period in which music became her principal professional focus.

Solo Career and Breakthrough

Sekgobela launched her solo recording career with Ithemba Lami in 2013. The album introduced her as a solo gospel artist and established the contemporary choir-oriented sound that would remain prominent throughout her career. Her subsequent work included By His Grace, whose song “Melsui” received television exposure and radio airplay.

Her defining breakthrough came with Restored, released in 2016. The album became a major commercial success and was reported as multiple platinum selling. Its standout song, “Lion of Judah,” became a major gospel hit in South Africa and helped transform Sekgobela from a respected gospel vocalist into a nationally recognized star.

“Lion of Judah” was originally written by Matsetse Matthews. Sekgobela first encountered the song at a conference in Durban in 2015 and was immediately drawn to its message of trusting God instead of living in fear. After meeting Matthews, she recorded her version for Restored. The song subsequently became one of the most recognizable recordings of her career and was widely played on South African radio and in public spaces.

Musical Style and Notable Releases

Sekgobela’s musical style combines contemporary gospel with choir-based arrangements, traditional South African gospel influences and a soulful vocal delivery. Her performances tend to emphasize emotional interpretation and worship rather than vocal showmanship for its own sake. Her music frequently explores faith, perseverance, God’s faithfulness and the search for spiritual strength.

Among her notable releases are Ithemba Lami, By His Grace, Restored, Umusa and Hymns and Worship. Umusa, released in 2018, continued the live and worship-oriented direction of her music, while Hymns and Worship followed in 2019. Her catalogue has also expanded through collaborations and guest appearances with other leading gospel musicians.

“Lion of Judah” remains her signature recording. The song’s message of confidence in God resonated strongly with listeners and helped make Restored one of the most important albums of her career. Sekgobela herself has described the album as one of her best works and has spoken about how meaningful it was to finally receive broad recognition after years of releasing music.

Awards and Recognition

Sekgobela’s success with Restored translated into significant industry recognition. In 2016, she won the SABC Crown Gospel Music Award for Best Female Artist. She also received an Appreciation Award from the Limpopo Arts and Culture organization that year. Earlier, in 2012, she won a Crown Gospel Music Award in the Best Community Outreach category and received a Gospel Legacy Award from the Vaal Triangle in 2010 for her contribution to music.

The success of “Lion of Judah” also moved her into spaces beyond the traditional gospel awards circuit. The song received a nomination for Song of the Year at the 2017 Metro FM Music Awards, while Sekgobela received additional nominations at the South African Music Awards, Crown Gospel Music Awards, Metro FM Awards and other major South African award platforms.

Her 2018 album Umusa was also nominated for Best Traditional Faith Music Album at the 25th South African Music Awards. This recognition reflected the way her work draws from both contemporary gospel and the traditions of South African faith music.

Personal Life

Sekgobela is married to Lucky Sekgobela, who also works as her manager, and they have three children. According to her official biography, the couple began their relationship while she was still in high school and married when she was 16.

Her family has remained an important source of support throughout her career. In discussing the challenges that come with being a public artist, Sekgobela has said that she turns to family, friends and fellow gospel musicians for advice and support, while prayer remains an important part of how she handles difficult periods.

Her personal story is closely connected to the themes in her music. The journey from a financially difficult childhood, through rejection and years of supporting other singers, to becoming a successful gospel recording artist has given her music a strong emphasis on perseverance and faith.

Current Career and Legacy

Sekgobela continues to perform and minister through music. Her recent activities have included major worship and gospel events in South Africa. In a September 2026 interview, she reflected on a demanding but rewarding 2025, mentioning performances at Total Praise and Worship with Leo in Cape Town and the Night of Praise at Sun City. She also spoke about overcoming personal challenges while continuing to pursue music.

Her official platform currently lists nine gospel albums among her career releases and continues to present her primarily as a worshiper and gospel musician. Her recent work and performances show that she remains active within South Africa’s gospel music community.

Lebo Sekgobela’s influence comes from more than the commercial success of “Lion of Judah.” Her career represents a long progression from church ministry and backing vocals to becoming one of South Africa’s prominent contemporary gospel singers. Her soulful delivery, emphasis on worship and ability to combine traditional gospel sensibilities with contemporary production have given her a distinctive place in the country’s gospel landscape.

For listeners who discovered her through Restored, Sekgobela’s story is ultimately one of persistence. She experienced rejection before recognition, spent years supporting other artists before establishing herself as a solo performer, and built her career around a belief that music could minister to people as much as it could entertain them. That combination of musicianship, faith and resilience remains central to her enduring appeal.