The daughter of the late Gospel singer Vuyo Mokoena, Lerato has for many years been exploited by singers and promoters of gospel music using her to attract people to their events.

This 26-year-old gospel singer from Duduza in Ekurhuleni thought that she would flourish in this field when she was invited to sing at many events. But later she realized that they use his father’s name to attract his followers to come out in large numbers when there is an event.

In an exclusive interview with Scrolla.Africa, Lerato said she wished his father was still alive to encourage her in this difficult field. Vuyo died in 2008 after suffering from a brain tumor. “My father used to warn me and my brother about this industry full of vultures who benefit from talented musicians and then spit them out. “He said that if we decide to go this route, we should always be vigilant and sing songs that combine traditional with faith and hymns. At that time I did not understand what he meant, but now I know because I have seen this with my own eyes.”

 
Lerato has asked for help from his father’s best friend Langa Dube to help her train her in this field to avoid exploitation. “Langa took my father’s yoke after he passed away as I decided to ask him for advice when I encounter challenges. “Right now he is screening all my invitations to make sure I am not being exploited,” she added.

Lerato is following in her father’s footsteps by singing as a Gospel singer and healing people with her voice, which is the path her father followed before he died. “We used to sing with him as a family as he wanted to have a family choir, growing up he encouraged us about religion. “He was guiding us where we need to fix until today I still use his teachings and I still ask him to look after me in everything I do,” Lerato added.