Dumi Mkokstad

"My dad is a pastor, and my mom is a pastor’s wife. Both my parents are quite musical."

"We used to sit at home and sing, which I’d say sparked and motivated my interest in music – those moments are my main influences."

"I’d go for days without going to church, even though I knew it was a place I’d need to refill"

"Soccer was the only thing I enjoyed and loved wholeheartedly"

"However, I couldn’t fulfil my dream due to my age [late 20s]. It was tough for me to accept because soccer was my first love, but I embraced what had to be."

"But age is a huge factor"

"What I love about being a gospel singer is that I get to serve people, unlike soccer, which is more of a hobby. What’s undeniable is that music chose me"

"I find it easy to maintain a decent life as a father and husband who is under the spotlight because of the music that I sing. When I write music, I fast and pray. It creates the intimacy that I need to have when making music,"