A second chance for gospel artiste Bokwala

By Caroline Nyanga

Local Congolese gospel artiste Bokwala-Ekoto, popularly known as Bienvenue, is a rare entertainer who has seen the worlds of both secular and gospel music.

At age ten he got born again when he served as part of Crisco Youth Choir in Kinsasha, Lemba, before moving to a foreign land in search of greener pastures after an offer from a Good Samaritan.

It was then that the "devil stole" him for a span of more than two decades. But after experiencing bad health that saw him bedridden for almost a year, the singer is back to the fold, unleashing more gospel hits alongside his lovely daughter Nicole. The latter is prominently featured in the song Nampenda Bwana.

Bokwala-Ekoto, popularly known as Bienvenue, is a rare entertainer who has seen the worlds of both secular and gospel music.

"I thank God for giving me a second chance, considering the difficulties I have been through. I know what it feels like to stray from God’s will, and the consequences involved," he says.

To prove his good intent, Bienvenue has just released his first seven-track album, Asifiwe, with several songs targeting the young and old.

The musician released the CD with the lead song focusing on praising and living his life for God for having saved him from the threat of an early death.

Produced at Asifiwe Studio, Nairobi, by producer Kashama, some of the songs wordings are poetic, and are written in Kiswahili, with a tinge of Lingala, Kiganda and English. The songs therefore appeal to different generations. Artistes featured include Manus Kamable, Pasco Kikinina, Queen Sola, Seben Chite, Didier Mande, Alain Lemba, Arab Kaninda and Issah Masiasia. "My point is that, a huge percentage of our gospel artistes, including the church, have failed to reach out to the youth and adults with no culture, and people who cannot speak their first language well. My aim is to change this."

He further argues that there is disconnect between the church and such people, and communication with them has to be done through street language. With the release of his album done in various styles including Zouk, Rumba, Coupe De Carle Reggae, Salsa and Seben, Bienvenue has confidence that it will improve his image greatly in the local music industry and beyond.

"I am confident that this music is unique and different from the rest hence its ability to appeal to both local and international audiences," says the musician, whose songs are inspired by the Bible and his personal experiences. For him, the release is, however, just the beginning of the long road to what he expects to be his glory – making it big in the music industry the world over.

That some of his songs –Asifiwe, Nibembeleze and Sauti ya Bwana – are already getting adequate airplay in various gospel FM radios is encouraging.

"I am glad that people love and appreciate my songs. Mine is to continue using singing as a tool to minister and draw more people into the Kingdom of God," says Bienvenue who has been described as a highflier. He says that although things did not initially work out well he never lost hope knowing that one day it was bound to change for the better.

But like most successful artistes, he has had his share of challenges, which he describes as a step to success. He mentions lack of adequate finances as a hindrance to his flourishing career.

"There was the issue of my computer crashing, forcing me to re-do the whole sequence," says the musician who studied Mechanical Engineering at Institute Professional College in DRC’s Gombe.

Time is also a constraint, saying he had difficulties dividing his time between his work, ministering, family and music. This meant that he had to record his music during weekends and at night.

Also, the fact that people criticised his faith made him sad. Another challenge is people giving him varied opinion that he has to listen to and weigh whether it is of benefit or not. Born in DRC’s Shabonda zone to a Christian family, Bienvenue has experienced all the vagaries of luxurious life. He lived in Uganda for a few months before finally moving to Nairobi, then known to him as the land of milk and honey.

"We were requested by ‘men of God’ who frequented our church to accompany them to Uganda for major concerts after consulting with our parents." Bienvenue recalls that once they got there they were soon abandoned, making life unbearable for the group of ten. It is at this point that it dawned on them that everyman for himself - God for us all.

In 1996, a Mr Peter Kasali came to their rescue when he introduced them to Mr Monday, the CEO of California Club where they worked as a residential band for two years, playing four times a week and getting paid USh25,000 per person per show. Bienvenue was the lead singer cum drummer. Two years later they met a Ugandan businesswoman, Mama Bolingo, who owned a club along Langata Shopping Centre opposite Carnivore, Nairobi.

Mysterious illness

They included El Mos, solo guitarist, Kisme, vocalist, and Edie rhythm guitarist, among others. " We lived in Rongai then but not for long since the band dismantled three months later due to differences in opinion."

Bienvenue soon became part of locally based Congolese musician Bikassy Bijo’s Saka Saka band based in Nairobi’s Deep West – now Hot Haus for two years.

In 2004 he initiated Kibush Band, which played at Egesa and Deep West clubs for a few months. Other bands he played with are Rumba Japan, Mangelepa, Malembe Stars, and Vundumuna – the latter was the last band he played with before giving back his life to Christ upon falling critically ill.

As a local based secular Congolese artiste, Bienvenue led a reckless life that is typical of many musicians. Spending time in nightclubs, drinking alcohol and chasing after women are some of the things he loved doing. He soon became addicted to alcohol.

"In turn, I was arrested by the police more than ten times for operating during odd hours," he says.

In 2008 he had a mysterious illness that saw most of his friends abandon him. "Although the signs were similar to those of HIV/Aids, doctors could not find anything wrong with me – except fatigue."

He found himself opting for herbal treatment after a friend from Nyanza convinced him that he was bewitched. Unfortunately, the herbs did more harm than good for he could hardly walk on his own.

"I barely ate nor went to the toilet for a period of one month. This left me emaciated and looking frail. The doctor in charge, including people who came to visit me in hospital thought it was just a matter of hours before I could depart from this world." But they were wrong. Like they say, it is only God who knows the hour and time of one’s death.

Before he knew it, Congolese Pastor Kiana Lebon visited him, after hearing of his condition. After prayers his faith in God healed him. Within a few days he was discharged and given some drugs to work on his appetite. It took him eight months to recover. The fifth born in a family of 11, Bienvenue worships at Shekina Church in Nairobi’s Umoja Innercore estate and is married to a Kenyan woman with whom they have children. He intends to build his name through the tracks and venture into live events and crusades before investing in a production house "that will hone and offer budding talents a home of excellence."

To the youth he says: "The most readily available keys in life are those of self destruction. Try Jesus and He will shape your life for the better."