The path of a gospel music career has hurdles, especially because the music industry favours secular artistes. Because of the failure to make a living from gospel music solely, some artistes are forced to take on other jobs, balancing it with their music ambitions.

But for six years now, Gisele Phanny Wibabara, popularly known as Phanny, has made a name for herself as an established RnB gospel musician; as well as a member of renowned gospel band ‘The Sisters’ comprising of Aline Gahongayire, Clementine Uwintonze aka Tonzi, and Gabby Kamanzi.

When the energetic, petite sized musician is not recording or performing, she’s hard at work as the personal assistant to Mr Gunter Engling, telecom giant MTN Chief Executive Officer. This year has been particularly fruitful for Phanny, who recorded eight songs as a solo artiste, had numerous performances with ‘The Sisters’ while her hit single ‘This is my time’ got nominated in the Best Video category at the Groove Awards 2015.

"I feel like my efforts have paid off regardless of the fact that it took me a long time to put my work in place. It’s a big achievement and an honour for me to be recognised among potential winners, whether I win or not,” says Phanny about the nomination.

Phanny recognises that, six years as a corporate employee and singer, is not something that comes easy. It takes commitment, dedication and hard work.

"You have to make many sacrifices. I have had to sacrifice my social life, which some people interpret as being anti-social, but it is because I have to plan my life since I try not to let any one of my career choices affect the other,” she adds.

For somebody who started singing at the tender age of 12, it is easy to see the talent but the challenges are also straining and somehow limit her ability. She manages to concentrate on her musical career by staying up late recording songs and using her spare time for practice and preparations.

"I would love to give my music career 100 per cent, but as a corporate career woman, it’s not possible. I end up giving music around 60 per cent or 50 per cent of my time which is not enough compared to other artistes whose musical career is a full time job,” she adds.

However for ‘The Sisters’, the band has done well with superb performances at various events, including the successful Gospel Flavour Concert, releasing hit songs and performing around the country.

Phanny believes that gospel music has grown in Rwanda in recent years due to the sacrifice and hard work of gospel artistes, even though it still has a long way to go.

"People are beginning to love it. I think we are getting better than secular music artistes because most of them actually dance to our music nowadays. This shows that Christ is at work,” she says.

She further added that their biggest fan base is in urban areas and their biggest challenge now is to take it to rural areas.

"We lack penetration in the rural areas. I think it’s because we are kind of limited to certain churches with a different style of worship. It’s not safe to say that we have penetrated rural areas as yet.”

A holder of a degree in Public Relations and Administration from Kigali Independent University, Phanny is a strong believer in girls’ education and this is partly evidenced by the fact that she sits on the Forum for African Women Educationalist (FAWE) Alumni Steering Committee (FAWE).

editorial@newtimes.co.rw