31-year-old Gospel singer Pastor Motshidisi Monareng, well-known as Tshidi Monareng, said she has faced many challenges.
The singer, who is based in Mpumalanga, mentioned that she experienced rejection, with some people telling her she didn’t have a calling to sing and that she was forcing herself into music.She also said people told her the stage didn’t suit her.
Tshidi, from Rustenburg, North West, said she was inspired by powerful gospel artists like Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Joyous Celebration, and Bishop Benjamin Dube.She recorded her debut 14-track album, Ke Morena Jeso, in 2009.
“In 2017, I tried to do a live recording. Unfortunately, things didnt go as planned. I ended up having depression and nearly took my life. At the time, my biggest challenge was losing my mum, Gladys Moetsi (64), on 29 January 2017,” Tshidi said.
“She was suffering from high-blood pressure. Despite, the difficult times, I didn’t stop praying.”
She said the reason she’s singing is because of the love of God.
“I don’t want to be selfish and keep my gift of singing within me. I want to heal broken hearts and give hope to the hopeless.”
The singer said she won’t be changed by situations, environment, and money.
Her advice to other gospel singers is: Don’t fall into sin through entertainment, drinking alcohol, and taking drugs.
Tshidi said gospel singers should be good examples in the community.
“My strength is that I love people and fear God.”
On 23 February 2024, she released her single track, called Ngilinde.
She’s busy in the studio working on another album to be released soon.
Tshidi is married to Apostle Deddy Monareng, who co-founded the Faith Restoration Fire Ministry.
In 2019, she released the album, Restoration with 14 songs.
Pastor Monareng is also a businesswoman and a Setswana News reader at Moutse Community Radio Station under Sekhukhune District in Limpopo.