Puleng March’s story is one of clear indication that God’s plans surpass human capacity and judgment. A young girl from a small town where dreaming big was a dare, March found solace and strength in Christ to elevate to extraordinary life experiences. It is through this journey that she found the inspiration to uplift and empower other women.
She’s played the lead role on The Lion King production in Singapore, performed all over the world and shared the stage with renowned gospel singer Kirk Franklin at anti-apartheid revolutionary and former South African President Nelson Mandela’s memorial in 2013. Nine music awards later and March feels she’s only just scratched the surface.
We chat to the mother of two about drawing inspiration from those close to her, being umakoti (daughter-in-law) and her plans to travel.
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHAT YOU WERE LIKE AS A CHILD?
I was born in Kimberley, the Northern Cape, and raised by my mom who’s a pastor. I was a very bubbly child – you would always find me singing or preaching. I had my own people that I would entertain. That's how I grew up – I was a noisy child – LOL!
HOW DID YOUR GOSPEL AND SPIRITUAL JOURNEY BEGIN?
My mom is a pastor. So, my whole life has always been church and singing at Sunday school and choirs. As a pastor's child, my life was about the Bible, and I decided that this is not just my mom’s journey – so I also joined. It started when I was 13. That’s when I accepted Christ and began my journey as a Christian.
YOU’RE NO LONGER WITH JOYOUS CELEBRATION BUT PLEASE TELL US HOW YOU GOT INTO IT AND WHAT THAT EXPERIENCE WAS LIKE FOR YOU?
Oh, it was amazing, and so beautiful! Joyous Celebration is the choir you mimic when singing as a church girl. I’d listen to their latest song and then rehearse it.
I’ve always loved Joyous Celebration. I think I joined them in 2012, after doing The Lion King. Baba Lindelani Mkhize asked me to join. I was excited, and being part of the biggest gospel choir in South Africa was just a dream come true. The journey was just beautiful. I grew as a musician, but also learned a lot about the business side of the music industry.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START MAKOTI ENKOSINI (WIVES IN THE LORD) AND MAKOTI'S COUCH?
When I started the journey of being someone's daughter-in-law or someone's wife, I started having questions, but I didn’t know that God was saying something to me. At my bridal shower, I was advised how to be a wife, and some people said things that stood out for me. Others I liked and others I was a bit sceptical of. After I got married I had an urge to bring women together – I even started dreaming about it. It became the first thing I’d think about in the morning and the last when I went to bed. As time went by I had more burning questions and decided that it was time to get women together to learn from each other and from those who’ve been married.
In 2013 I started my first session with the ladies, and I thought it was going to be the last one. Now I have branches all over, even in Botswana! We come together as women, empower and learn from one another, and pray together. We learn what God says about marriage as a whole and support one another. It has helped me grow a lot.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED ALONG YOUR JOURNEY, BE IT THE SPIRITUAL ONE, WITH JOYOUS CELEBRATION, MAKOTI ENKOSINI, OR AS A WIFE AND A MOTHER?
Coming from Kimberly to Joburg and being able to adapt and get myself out there as an artist was quite challenging. I’d go to auditions or studio sessions, and because I was not originally from Johannesburg, I had to work extra hard.
Joining Joyous Celebration also came with its challenges. They’re a big group, and everyone has different talents, with different backgrounds – I needed to learn how to stand my ground and believe in what brought me there in the first place. I was constantly preaching to myself saying that I have what it takes and that God has chosen me.
There were challenges as an independent artist as well because I recorded both my albums under my own record label. Through the challenges though, my albums did well – winning over nine music awards.
WHO DO YOU LOOK UP TO FOR INSPIRATION?
So many people, and very close people. My mom firstly, that woman is strong. I have seen her make ends meet without help. My kids too, they are so strong! One is 12 and the other is nine, but sometimes they shock me with the things they say. Everything they say is what I taught them, but I think I wasn’t really aware of how much they absorbed those words. And then just when I let my guard down, they turn around and use those words on me – and teach me in the process. They’d say things like, “No, mama, you can’t give up now". They believe in me. My husband is also quite strong. Even Tyler Perry. He’s a black man that’s done so much. I’d love to own studios like him and do more for underprivileged people.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS.
I'm kind, I sometimes forget about Puleng and just give and give. At the moment I don’t even have pots or blankets anymore because I gave that away. I'm very kind, very loving and bold. I don't let anything stand in my way; I go for things that shock me. I surprise myself most of the time. You know what, I have a very shy side too. When you see me on stage, you’d think I am a superhero but I’m actually very shy.
SPEAKING OF SUPERHEROES, IF YOU HAD SUPERPOWERS, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?
I think Wonder Woman. I’d take care of family, save the world and still look sexy.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX AND RECHARGE?
I would love to have a massage and just relax. I think spending time with my kids keeps me busy. They talk a lot, but I guess they are my relaxing remedy. I chill at home, and I also love to bake when I want to relax.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION IS?
The Maldives. I'd love to go there. Actually, I’m going there in Jesus’ name!
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WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FUTURE PLANS?
I'm doing a new show called Abasemzini, on 1 Magic. It is totally new for me, and I am enjoying doing that because it’s something I haven’t done before. I'd love to do more shows like that. I’d love to have my own studios to groom young artists and build an empire, and continue recording more albums because they are healing people out there. Travel – I hope I can also do more of that – I’d love to go to Lesotho with Makoti Enkosini.
WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUR FOLLOWERS AND YOUR FANS?
I just want to say thank you. They are the reason I’m still here, because even when things get difficult in our industry, they help to keep the in me fire burning.
When people inbox me to tell me that what I’m doing is changing their life, it’s encouraging and pushes me to do more. Thank you so much for supporting me. I have seen nothing but love. It’s a huge deal for me that people are supporting and rooting for me, so I can’t give up.
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BY NTHABISENG MAKHOKHA
PULENG MARCH: EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
September 22, 2021
Rating:
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
September 22, 2021
Rating:
