Babo Ngcobo’s Timeless Music Carries His Gospel Message Across Generations

Babo Ngcobo has built a three-decade career around music that he believes should remain meaningful long after its initial release. The gospel star, songwriter and former member of the duo Ikhethelo says he prefers creating songs that can speak to different generations rather than chasing short-lived popularity. His approach has placed lasting messages at the centre of his songwriting, with jazz and gospel influences shaping the sound and character of his work. Ngcobo recently reflected on this philosophy after his 2019 song Amatshe received a nomination in the Classic of All Time category at the Icebolethu Crown Gospel Music Awards. The recognition has given him another opportunity to explain why he believes music should be written with both the present and future generations in mind.

Ngcobo says songwriting comes naturally to him, but his approach to creating music is deliberate when it comes to the message he wants each song to carry. He believes his music reflects the patience associated with jazz and gospel, two genres that he says do not depend on quickly becoming popular. For him, this patience allows a song to develop a life beyond the moment in which it is released. Rather than creating music simply to gain immediate attention, he wants his songs to continue making sense as listeners and generations change. This philosophy has become an important part of how he understands his own catalogue and his contribution to South African gospel music.

Amatshe, which was released in 2019, provides a clear example of this approach. The song was nominated in the Classic of All Time category at the Icebolethu Crown Gospel Music Awards, with the nominations announced on Thursday, 17 September, during an all-white event at Mhulu Luxury Boutique Hotel in Midrand. For Ngcobo, the nomination reflects more than recognition for an individual song because it speaks to his belief in music that can withstand the passage of time. He explained that when he wrote Amatshe, his intention was to create a message that would remain relevant beyond the period in which it was first released. He believes listeners from future generations can still find meaning in the song when they listen to its message carefully.

Ngcobo’s view of classic music is closely linked to his understanding of longevity in the music industry. He does not believe a song has to become an immediate sensation to have value or make an impact. Instead, he sees music as something that can grow with its listeners and reach people who were not even part of its original audience. This perspective is particularly significant in gospel music, where songs often continue to be heard in homes, churches and communities long after their release. By focusing on messages that can remain relevant, Ngcobo hopes his music can become part of the musical memories of more than one generation.

The 52-year-old musician from Inanda, north of Durban, has spent around three decades in the industry, giving him considerable experience of how musical tastes and audiences change over time. His career has included songwriting for several Mzansi gospel singers, further establishing him as a creative force beyond his own recordings. His work demonstrates the role that songwriters can play in shaping the broader gospel music landscape, even when they are not always the most visible person attached to a particular song. Ngcobo’s focus on songwriting also reflects his understanding that a strong message can travel through different voices and musical settings. His latest recognition suggests that this contribution continues to receive attention.

Many listeners also know Ngcobo from his years as one half of the gospel duo Ikhethelo alongside S’gwili Zuma. The pair built a musical partnership that became part of Ngcobo’s career before they eventually separated in 2014. Ngcobo previously acknowledged that disagreements over how the duo should operate contributed to the split. According to him, they had created something good together but eventually reached a point where misunderstandings made it necessary for them to go their separate ways. The experience became another chapter in his long career, rather than an end to his involvement in music.

Years after the separation, Ngcobo says his relationship with Zuma has improved. He explained that they are now on good terms and have continued to work hard while pursuing different business interests. Their ability to move beyond their previous disagreements reflects how relationships can change as people progress through different stages of their careers. For Ngcobo, the past remains part of his musical history but does not prevent him from maintaining a positive relationship with his former partner. His comments also show that the end of a creative partnership does not necessarily mean the end of mutual respect between the people involved.

Ngcobo’s most recent album is Stay In The Race, which was released in 2025. The project adds to a catalogue built over many years and reinforces his continued presence in the gospel music industry. While his work spans different periods of South African music, his comments about Amatshe show that he remains interested in creating songs with lasting value. The recognition from the Crown Gospel Music Awards has also given him reason to reflect on the kind of legacy he wants his music to leave. For an artist who has spent decades writing and performing, being recognised for a song released several years ago offers another indication of the long life he believes music can have.

The Icebolethu Crown Gospel Music Awards nomination has therefore become an important moment in Ngcobo’s ongoing musical journey. He has expressed gratitude that the awards recognised his talent and the classical quality he sees in his music. The nomination places Amatshe alongside other work being considered for recognition at an event that celebrates achievements within the gospel music industry. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban on 15 November 2026. For Ngcobo, the occasion will provide an opportunity to see whether the song’s journey through the awards process results in further recognition.

Babo Ngcobo’s approach to songwriting is ultimately centred on longevity, meaning and the ability of music to communicate across generations. His belief that songs should carry messages that remain relevant helps explain why he views Amatshe as more than a song from 2019. His three decades in the music industry have given him a long view of how songs can change in meaning as audiences and generations evolve. From his work with Ikhethelo to his songwriting for other gospel artists and his solo releases, Ngcobo has continued to build a career around music that he believes deserves time to be heard and understood. His Crown Gospel Music Awards nomination for Amatshe now adds another chapter to that journey and reinforces his belief that music with a lasting message can continue speaking long after its first release.