Gospel group Spirit of Praise breaks into song on board South African flight – but their performance sparks angry claims of disrespecting other passengers (so what would YOU make of it?)
- The singers are currently touring South Africa for their ninth gospel album
Gospel group Spirit of Praise recently performed a song on board a flight, but their performance has sparked angry claims about disrespecting other passengers.
The group is currently on tour for their ninth gospel album, which sold out houses and topped the charts in South Africa.
In a video that went viral on social media, Omega Khunou, a singer in the group, filmed herself and other Spirit of Praise members singing their song Moy’Oyingcwele on board a crowded plane.
While some passengers seemed to enjoy the show, others seemed annoyed by the impromptu concert.
This was echoed on X, formerly known as Twitter, where users angrily claimed the loud chant was bothering other passengers.
While some passengers seemed to enjoy the show, others seemed annoyed by the impromptu concert
A South African radio presenter Solomzi Thandubuntu joined the debate. He wrote on X: ‘Just because it’s Gospel doesn’t make it right.
‘Some people really need some rest during the flight, others want to sleep, others want to read or enjoy different music on their headphones. Not cool.’
Journalist Makhosazana Zwane-Siguqa added: “So annoying. Why do people feel they have the right to infringe on others in this way? They have to charter a plane if they want to praise and worship on board. The law is sickening.”
A third X user said: ‘Very inconsiderate to other passengers.’
“This is nonsense because if I was on a flight with my friends and we all said ‘Allah hu Akbar’ in unison we would be arrested immediately,” another commented.
Some users even said they would file an official complaint about the unwanted concert.
‘Flying is not a fun experience, nor is it cheap. That plus adding this sound? I would demand that the flight attendants shut it down immediately,” one woman said.
“And tell them I’m going to file an official complaint.”
Another user agreed, writing: ‘The (strongly worded) email I would send to the airline next would make international news.’
The group’s marketing manager, Matthew Nkabinde, said this TshisaLIVE that no passengers had complained after the September flight, which had already landed and the crew was preparing to leave the plane.
In a video that went viral on social media, Omega Khunou (pictured wearing a gray sweater), a singer in the group, filmed herself and other Spirit of Praise members singing their song Moy’Oyingcwele on board a crowded plane.
While there was outrage over the video and the impromptu airplane concert on
The award-winning group released their first album in 2008 and are known for their all-star lineups of artists singing original praise and worship songs.
He said: ‘The plane had just landed in Durban and they were about to disembark so they started singing.’
While there was outrage at X, Mr Nkabinde said the video on TikTok “did really well” and there was “no backlash”.
He added: “We had a wonderful tour in Durban, we came back and the people were happy. As South Africans, we sing.”
Spirit of Praise’s next tour stop is at Carnival City Casino and Entertainment World on December 2, with tickets already sold out.
The award-winning group released their first album in 2008 and are known for their all-star lineups of artists singing original praise and worship songs.