The Soweto Spiritual Singers will begin their “towering onslaught of exuberance” on South African shores soon.

Despite the success of their overseas shows, the gospel singers are yet to give their first full blown performance on local soil.

The group has toured the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Germany on an annual basis for several years, whilst concurrently being ignored by local promoters and sponsors.

But that’s about to change, with the group scheduled to perform for the first time in South Africa on March 30 at the Christian Revival Church in Kimberley.

Group director Vicky Vilakazi told the Sowetan that staging a show is an expensive undertaking, and local sponsors have been slow to invest in the choir.

“It’s funny that international promoters come here to recruit these choirs. On our side, it is difficult to stage a show because the choir is big and you need sponsors to do that,” she says.

The Soweto Spiritual Singers show features artists such Nokukhanya Dlamini, Vicky, Brian Temba, Soweto Boys Classic, and Henry B.

“We are excited because people will finally see this concept called Soweto Spiritual Singers. The show will be for about three hours and will comprise a story-line. We take you down memory lane and show how this country is so diversified when it comes to religion,” Vilakazi says.

The director defines the group’s musical output in poetic terms.

“Our music is truly inspirational, a shout of joy, a towering onslaught of exuberance with earthy rhythms and rich harmonies to uplift the soul. We fuse township culture and its influence in modern spiritual music, and all this forms part of our journey of praise as we dance, clap, shout and ululate.”

Vilakazi said that international interest in the band began after they collaborated with R&B superstar R. Kelly during the 2010 World Cup opening ceremony. Shows in Europe soon followed, with another one scheduled for August.

“Whenever we go to Germany, the Netherlands or Belgium, our shows are sold out three months before.”

The group was created in 2005 by Vilakazi, Nkululeko Vilakazi, Gift Vilakazi-Ledimo and Thabo Ledimo.

Anyone keen on a “towering onslaught of exuberance” should make sure they catch the show in Kimberley on March 30.

You can listen to the Singers’ collaboration with R. Kelly below.