GOSPEL JAMBOREE IN GWANDA. . . as SA’s crème de la crème confirm participation

02 Aug, 2015 - 00:08 0 Views

The Sunday News

Marvelous Moyo Sunday Leisure Correspondent
A GOSPEL music jamboree is incubating in Gwanda Town as a contingent of South Africa’s gospel music crème de la crème is expected for a two-day explosive music extravaganza in the mining town later this month. The artistes expressed excitement about coming to the country, an event that is expected to leave an unforgettable mark similar to that Kalawa Jazmee always leave in Bulawayo at their annual homecoming shows.

The free-of-charge festival which is expected to attract thousands of people from across the country will be held at Pelandaba Stadium.
The festival is open to all people and will run between 28 and 30 August.

Artistes among them the queen of gospel music Rebecca Malope, Hlengiwe Mhlaba — the woman with a powerful voice who sings with great passion touching many hearts – Lusanda Spiritual Group, Tshepiso Motaung, Dumi Mkokstad, Bethusile Mcinga and jazz legend Tshepo Tshola will make their way to the Matabeleland South provincial capital on a mission to worship and pray together with local citizens.

About 102 artistes are expected to jet in from the neighbouring country that shares not just the border with Zimbabwe but lingual and artistic talent too.
Speaking during a pre-concert preparatory meeting in Pretoria last week, also attended by a delegation from Zimbabwe, the South African artistes said they were so excited to be part of the Gwanda gospel music festival.

They said they felt humbled and special to be included in the preparations for the show as most show organisers never did so.
They promised to wow those who will attend the festival.

In expressing his excitement and gratitude Bethusile said, “It is our first time to be called in a gathering like this one. You are making us part of the whole process and we are so grateful. We promise to do our best and this will be my first time to be in Zimbabwe. It is such a wonderful opportunity.”

Dumi echoed the same sentiments saying he was happy and looking forward to his first performance in Zimbabwe.
“I can’t wait for this festival,” he said.
Tshepiso said, “It is an honour to be part of this experience.”

The assorted collection of SA gospel artistes’ faces glowed with happiness and showed zeal for the event.
The event would be the first-ever biggest show in Gwanda as such festivals with famous artistes have previously been a preserve of the country’s bigger towns and cities such as Harare and Bulawayo.

A local artiste Judith Moyo, who is also a businesswoman, will share the stage with the cream of South African gospel artistes.
She said Lusanda was her inspiration and felt greatly honoured to meet the SA artiste and that she was looking forward to great performances.
“I have sang with her so many times (Lusanda), but she doesn’t know that. I am so excited about this show,” Moyo said.

South Africa-based Gwanda-born successful businessman Justice Maphosa (40) came up with the noble initiative to put the “long forgotten” town on the map and give the people a rare opportunity to see and meet some of the famous and best gospel artistes in the region live.

Maphosa, who is the chief executive officer of BigTime Strategic Group, poured in a lot of money for the festival – taking care of all the expenses including hiring, paying, feeding and accommodating the crew of 102 artistes coming from the neighbouring country.

All the artistes will be flown into the country in private jets.
Maphosa said the main purpose of the musical festival was to worship and pray.

“I am not bringing in artistes, but stars and worshippers. We are coming there to bow down to God and thank him for everything he has done for us. God is going to manifest in that place, I can feel it.

“We believe we should pray so that God can bless Gwanda and the country as a whole. I ask people to come expecting to meet with God, people should not come to the show as a date. It is not a dating show, it is a show to praise and worship God.
“I have been kidnapped and hijacked but God has protected me, therefore it is time to thank and honour him for that,” he said.

Maphosa, who is also passionate about developmental issues, said the festival would market Gwanda through exposing what the town needs ranging from facilities such as proper accommodation, street lights, sanitation and proper roads among other things.
He said the show would present good business opportunities for the locals.

Musical instruments of high quality would be brought from South Africa. There will be massive screens showing live footage at the stadium to cater for the huge crowds expected.
All equipment will be powered with a 300kVA generator and a state-of-the-art stage will be set.
Organisers would bring movable flushable toilets, tents, floodlights and fireworks.

After the two nights show, on Sunday 30 August the artistes will perform at the official opening of the newly built massive Brethren- in-Christ Church Gwanda branch.
Maphosa, who was raised in the same church, contributed a lot towards the construction of the church building.
Gwanda branch Reverend Sipho Mhizha said the church was excited and ready to host such a big event.

Gwanda Mayor Councillor Knowledge Ndlovu assured the organisers and artistes an unforgettable welcome. He said people were busy on the ground preparing for the event while revamping of the stadium was also in progress.

“Gwanda is a safe destination and we assure you that we will give it our best as the town. People are busy preparing on the ground,” he said.
Liquid Deep is also expected to make a brief appearance at the stadium before proceeding to perform at the wedding of Maphosa’s relative together with other artistes including Busisiwe.

Former Gwanda Mayor Lionel DeNecker, former Gwanda North Member of Parliament Mr Thandeko Zinti Mnkandla and the Gwanda Residents’ Association spokesperson Mr Bekezela Maduma Fuzwayo were part of the delegation that travelled to South Africa.

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