This year, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus falls on 12 June, just four days before South Africa commemorates Youth Day on 16 June. It is a fitting coincidence, as the story of Catholic musician and evangelist Kgethang Konese is one of hope, perseverance and the power of faith to transform pain into purpose.
Born and raised in Lesotho before moving to Klerksdorp in South Africa, Konese’s journey has been anything but easy. Today, he is known across the country for his music ministry, social media presence and inspiring testimony, but behind the success lies a story of hardship, resilience and unwavering trust in God.
A difficult childhood
Konese speaks openly about the trauma that marked his early years. As a child, he and his mother were forced to leave their home after a painful family situation involving his father. Moving in with his grandparents, he experienced struggles similar to those faced by many young people. Yet even amid those challenges, one constant remained: his Catholic faith.
“I was born and raised Catholic,” he says. “When I got older, I had the opportunity to decide whether I wanted to stay in the Church or leave. Instead, I found myself falling more in love with the Catholic Church.”
Like many young Catholics, Konese admits that church did not always seem exciting. However, everything changed when he was appointed as a choir conductor in his parish.
Discovering the beauty of the Mass
The responsibility of preparing music for Mass opened a new world for the young Konese. As he studied the hymns and liturgy, he began to understand the deeper meaning behind the prayers, processions and sacred rituals of the Church. What once seemed routine became a profound encounter with God.
“I got to understand the Mass deeper,” he recalls. “I understood why we sing certain hymns and what they mean. I became part of the Mass, and that changed everything.”
His passion and leadership soon became evident. Before long, he was appointed to conduct choirs across the Diocese of Klerksdorp during major celebrations, including ordinations and diocesan events. The experience strengthened both his faith and his love for sacred music.
Bina: When music found him
Ironically, Konese never planned to become a musician.
At school and in church, singing was simply something everyone was expected to do. Music was not a career he imagined for himself.
His breakthrough came unexpectedly when a choir conductor missed rehearsals and he was asked to step in. The congregation responded positively, and soon he found himself leading regularly.
Years later, the Covid-19 pandemic became another turning point.
While lockdowns brought uncertainty to many, they provided Konese with an opportunity to record music from home. Encouraged by positive responses from listeners, he continued releasing songs.
“People kept saying, ‘Do another one, do another one,'” he recalls. “That’s when I realised maybe God was using this gift.”
Today, his ministry has grown beyond anything he imagined. His schedule is fully booked, and his latest album, Difela, has enjoyed remarkable success, topping charts and reaching audiences across Southern Africa.
Turning pain into purpose
One of the most powerful aspects of Konese’s testimony is his refusal to allow hardship to define him.
For many years, he struggled with feelings of loneliness and self-pity. After losing his mother, he longed for change but eventually realised that transformation required action.
“The day I said, ‘God, bless what I’m going to do,’ everything changed,” he says. “You cannot sit at home feeling sorry for yourself. You have to push.”
His message to young people facing unemployment, uncertainty or discouragement is simple: create opportunities rather than waiting for them.
Whether through business, music or other talents, he believes God blesses those who are willing to take initiative and work hard.
“Even if everything was taken away from me today, I know I would survive because I’ve learned how to create my own space.”
A heart devoted to Jesus
Beyond his music ministry, Konese is deeply committed to the Sacred Heart Sodality, a devotion that has shaped his spiritual life for more than a decade.
His connection to the sodality began in childhood. His mother, aunt and several family members belonged to the Sacred Heart. He remembers listening to their prayers and witnessing their commitment to serving others.
What impressed him most was their dedication to visiting the sick, helping struggling families and caring for those in need.
“This is not something they only do in church,” he says. “They go out into communities, clean homes, visit the sick and help people regardless of whether they are Catholic or not.”
Following his mother’s death, Konese felt called to continue her legacy by joining the Sacred Heart Sodality himself.
For the past ten years, he says the spirituality of the Sacred Heart has helped him navigate every season of life.
“When I’m sad, I know which prayer to pray. When I’m happy, I know which prayer to pray. In every situation, I can go to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”
Today, he actively encourages young people to join the sodality and discover a deeper relationship with Christ.
The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart
The devotion to the Sacred Heart has deep roots in the life of the Church. While devotion to the Heart of Jesus existed for centuries, it gained widespread popularity through the mystical experiences of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French Visitation nun who received a series of apparitions of Jesus between 1673 and 1675. During these revelations, Christ invited the faithful to honour His Sacred Heart as a symbol of His immense love and mercy for humanity.
The first liturgical feast dedicated to the Sacred Heart was celebrated in France in 1670 through the efforts of Saint John Eudes, but devotion spread rapidly following the revelations received by St Margaret Mary. The feast eventually became universal in the Catholic Church in 1856.
The Sacred Heart remains one of the Church’s most beloved devotions, reminding the faithful of Christ’s boundless love, mercy and sacrifice for humanity.
All roads lead to Stilfontein (Johannensburg Metropolitan)
This year, members of the Sacred Heart Sodality from across the Metropolitan Province of Johannesburg, which includes the Archdioceses and Dioceses of Johannesburg, Klerksdorp, Witbank and Eswatini, will gather at Spirit Word House in the Diocese of Klerksdorp to celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Thousands of pilgrims are expected to attend the annual celebration, which rotates between dioceses. The gathering will feature Mass, prayer, formation, fellowship and cultural exchange among members of the sodality.
Konese will play a prominent role during the celebrations as the master of ceremonies.
“I’m the emcee,” he says with excitement. “We’ll be celebrating the Feast of the Sacred Heart together with bishops, priests, deacons and members from different dioceses. It’s going to be beautiful.”
He is particularly looking forward to the opportunity for members from different cultures and regions to come together in faith, united by their devotion to the Heart of Jesus.
Inspiring a generation
With many young people strugglin g to find direction and purpose, Kgethang Konese’s story offers a powerful testimony that God can bring good out of even the most painful circumstances. From a difficult childhood in Lesotho to becoming one of Southern Africa’s most recognisable Catholic musicians, his life is a testament to perseverance, faith and service. As the Church celebrates the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Konese remains committed to sharing the message that has shaped his own life: that the Heart of Christ remains open to all who seek Him.
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