There are thousands of musicians with millions of albums on shelves, so when most people say they are “musicians”, I kinda wobble my head and move on. However, it is a different scenerio when you meet a very talented artist who not only sings but find the time to impact society with their gift.
Yvonne has been on the charts for a while and has featured on various performance stages with prominent names in the music industry such as Lebo Sekgobela, Kunle Okon and of note is the famous Kunle Ayo.
Yvonne May as she is known is a gospel singer and a worshiper in her own remark, polite, very sweet and simple. So it was a case of meeting her in person and finding out what makes her a unique talent. One striking topic that made us interested in her story is her courage in adversity.
Yvonne lost her lover and husband in South Africa, and despite the death of her husband and having to look after a child on her own, she did not stop doing the one thing that makes her alive: singing. Yvonne is involved in her community, and uses her show on
Dexterity radio as a platform to reach the vunerable, misfits and the broken.
Listening to Yvonne sing, “She is a unique voice from her genre”.
I eventually got a date set and met with Yvonne at Cresta Mall in Johannesburg, and for all those that do not know Yvonne, here is a quick interview i had with her :
Mamakitla: Tell me about yourself ?
Yvonne May: I’m a Nigerian recording musician living in Johannesburg, South Africa. A mother of one who loves baking, bowling, enjoys movies and shopping. A lady who thinks she’s beautiful.
Mamakitla: So you recently released an album, what’s the name of the album?
Yvonne May: The title of my album is Songs From The Book.
Mamakitla: Oh okay. Why Songs From The Book?
Yvonne May: I wish it was a name i decided on on my own but it’s a name God gave to me. It came from a place of adversity and it happened to come after losing my husband. After he passed away i began to seek God’s face, and that’s how the songs and the title came about.
Mamakitla: Do you have favourite songs from the album, songs that stand out for you?
Yvonne May: Oh yes i do i actually have four but let me limit it to two. One is He’ll be there and the other one is I choose to praise.
Mamakitla: Why do these two stand out?
Yvonne May: After the loss of my husband, it was a very terrible time for me and those songs helped pull me through. At some point i told myself that against all odds, that through it all, i choose to praise God. I remembered that weeping endures in the night but joy comes in the morning.
Mamakitla: Have you done any tours and concerts?
Yvonne May: I’ve had three concerts and my first was in 2012. Then in 2013 i introduced songs from my album(Songs From The Book) before releasing it in November 2014.
I’m having an event of worship in April, details about that will be out soon.
Mamakitla: Seeing as how you’re based in Johannesburg, does that mean your concerts are limited to Johannesburg?
Yvonne May: For now yes but i’m working on a concert in Durban.
Mamakitla: So Yvonne, is there a special Mr in your life?
Yvonne May: [Laughs] The server around that doesn’t seem to be working right now.
Mamakitla: Are you too busy or are you just not looking?
Yvonne May: Umm i don’t know, should i be looking or should someone be looking for me? For now it’s just me and my son until someone amazing comes along.
Mamakitla: You’re also on radio, right?
Yvonne May: Yes, I’m on Dexterityradio.com, it’s an online radio station and i host my own radio show every Sunday morning. It’s meant to encourage people with the word of God, inspiring music and motivational talks. And lately i’ve been touching on the topic of domestic violence which seems to be on the rise especially in marriages.
Mamakitla: What are your future plans?
Yvonne May: To record more albums. I’m releasing a single next month(towards the end of March) and i’m shooting a video. I have a concert in April titled Expressions 2, i had the first one in 2012. I’m also hoping for tours around South Africa. A little birdie told me my song is on the TOP 20 chart on Rainbow FM so i’m gonna be on Rainbow FM very soon.
Mamakitla: Where can people buy your album?
Yvonne May: From Grace House Family Church in Randburg and Online ( Buy Here).
Mamakitla: Are you on any social networks?
Yvonne May: I’m actually trying my hand at them these days. Twitter: Mayvettevonne5 , Facebook: Yvonne May , Instagram: Mayvettevonne.
Mamakitla: How do people get a hold of you to book you for concerts, functions..?
Yvonne May: They can email me on Mayvettevonne@yahoo.com or call me on 0825948917.
It was Lovely meeting and chatting with Yvonne, the Lady with a sweet voice and a talent of note. I am loving her Album and will be on the look out for her upcoming projects.
