Sipho Kaleni, a musician, died on August 1, 2022, at the age of 46, after an illness. While the specifics are unknown, the official announcement of Kaleni’s death implies that he died after a short illness. Kaleni has been ‘supposedly’ unwell since May 2022. The Crown Gospel Music Awards, which Kaleni co-founded, shared the sad news in a statement.
According to the statement:
“The World Gospel Powerhouse is heartbroken to announce the death of Sipho Kaleni, a founding EXCO member of the Crowns Gospel Music Awards. Kaleni, a skilled minister of the word, musician, famous MC, radio presenter, and dedicated member of the SDA church, had been ill since roughly May of this year, and although showing indications of recovery in recent weeks, he regrettably died in the early hours of today morning, August 1, 2022.”
Sipho Kaleni’s life and activities further
Sipho Kaleni, who was born on September 21, 1975, was a well-known South African musician who specialized in Christian music. Kaleni went to Nkumbulo Comprehensive School and Umsobomvu Primary School as a child before graduating from Mbira School of Music and Arts. Kaleni began her career as a producer and recording artist in 1998. Later on, he expanded his knowledge to include writing, arranging, and talent identification. He was thereafter in charge of assessing new gospel recordings for Radio Pulpit.
Later, he established Parousia Communications and was the Director of Overeth Music Productions and Publishing. Kaleni was also a founding EXCO member of the Crowns Gospel Music Awards. For a while, he was also the Radio Station Manager for Adventist World Radio. In addition to presenting the music show Gospel Gold, the artist regularly spoke at public events. Sipho Kaleni, a well-known emcee for numerous events and gospel music albums, has collaborated with Lebo Sekgobela, Mabongi, and Bishop Benjamin Dube over his career.
Kaleni was also a Spirit of Praise presenter and musician. In a statement, the Crown Gospel Music Awards commended Kaleni’s remarkable award hosting abilities. They stated:
“Kaleni was the engine of the Crowns who, unbeknownst to many, was not only our Spokesperson but also had a significant part in the show’s preparation and production. He was also the voice you heard introducing the award presenters before they took the stage, as well as the names of the nominees before the winners were announced.”
Netizens express their respects to Sipho Kaleni.
Social media users and followers of the singer went to Twitter to mourn the musician’s death. There hasn’t been much information released regarding the musician’s funeral, except for the fact that he is survived by his wife, Brenda Kaleni, his children, and his mother. Tall On My Knees and Lord You Are Faithful are two of Kaleni’s most popular songs. Yebo Bakithi Sombonga, You Alone Are God, Remain in God’s Pot, and Garden of Love are among his other well-known pieces.
Dark cloud has fallen upon South African Gospel Music Industry
It’s so sad to wake up to such heartbreaking news that Pastor Sipho Kaleni has passed on
Condolences to his family, relatives,SDA Church members, friends and Gospel Music Fraternity at large. pic.twitter.com/OZyLADi8mO— Loyal_GospelMusicFan (@LeraRoyal) August 1, 2022
One of the founding members of the Crown Gospel Music Awards Sipho Kaleni has passed away.
The Crown Gospel Awards celebrate artists, groups and producers in the gospel music industry.
Kaleni died on Monday morning after being unwell since May.#News@LivePretoria pic.twitter.com/XQxL5wR6uD
— PretoriaLIVE (@LivePretoria) August 2, 2022