Apostle Vusmuzi Maculuve

Apostle Vusmuzi Maculuve (formerly called Vusmuzi Gumedze) is a well-known gospel artist from Swaziland. He is married to gospel musician Make Maculuve. In 2011, the talented artist came out to disassociate himself from the Gumedze surname, saying it is not his biological surname and his real surname is Maculuve. He narrated how he got to use the surname citing that his grandfather was from Mozambique and he came to Swaziland with a friend who was a Gumede from South Africa. As such, it was very difficult for foreign nationals to stay in that country hence his grandfather had to assume the Gumede surname in order to be accepted. Despite the shocking revelations, the reverend was born and raised in Logoba, Manzini. Therefore, it was quite a shock to discover his roots. His father and mother were both born in Swaziland and his wife was born at Nkambeni.

His group Gumedze and the Gospel Warriors was changed to Apostle Vusumuzi and the Heavenly Kingdom Beneficiaries. Maculuve has released a number of albums. In 2011, he released an album featuring Heavenly Kingdom Beneficiaries. The album titled ‘Ujehova Uvulile’ features three top gospel artists who have contributed various tracks. These include Vusi Shiba from the group Shiba and the Travellers, France Dlamini and Make Maculuve, who gives a sermon titled ‘Ngewakho Lomfati’.

Some of the songs included on the album are ‘Akabhacelwa Nkulunkulu’, ‘Satjelwa NgoJesu’, Kwahlalwa Phansi’ and ‘Abamethembayo’. The album was produced by the late Dennis Bothma of Cut and Edit Studios in Johannesburg, South Africa. In 2012, he released his album ‘Hlala kuJesu’.

In 2014, he was demoted from his position as ACASWA’s general secretary. He also held the position of ACASWA’s Public Relations Officer (PRO). ACASWA stands for the Association of Christian Artists in Swaziland. The decision to demote him was made a meeting. At that time, Vusumuzi was facing charges of alleged indecent assault.
Maculuve has in the past been caught up in a number of controversies. In 2009, he was attacked for allegedly dating a school girl. He was held hostage by a mob and had to put his eight-year long singing career on hold. In 2011, he allegedly manhandled a dressmaker and threatened to beat her up in front of customers after making disturbing comments about him. In 2014, he was again arrested for indecent assault.