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APOSTOLIC Faith Mission (AFM) New Life Assembly Chikomo church from the high-density suburb of Chikanga came first at the AFM national choir festival which was held in Gweru last weekend. AFM national choir festival is a national competition in which only AFM church members participate. The competition runs every year with the aim of recognising and promoting talent within the ministry.
The AFM New Life Chikomo choir managed to win in the preliminary stages of the competition for them to qualify for nationals.
On October 19, they came first at the provincial championship and on October 26 they also won at the AFM national awards in Harare.
The national choir festival saw 16 choirs participating from all over the country.
There were two categories in the competition.
Category A is of seasoned choirs with experience and category B is for the new choirs.
AFM Chikanga took part in both of these categories but only won in the first category.
The choir co-ordinator, Mr Pedzisai Mangwana, said that the win came as a shock since the choir had practised for only three weeks and in the past they did not make much of an impact in the competition as well.
“Though we came first in the category of seasoned choirs we were not expecting to win. The previous years we have not been doing well in the competition. We actually practised the national song for three weeks which is not enough to perfect a song. Our hope was in the optional songs in which we came third out of the 16 choirs that participated,” said Mr Mangwana
Pastor Stenley Chikanya acknowledged the commitment of the choir and church members as the drive behind the success of the choir.
“For a choir, winning is commitment. We would like to thank the choir members showing great commitment as well as the support of the church. Every executive member and the board of elders were rallying behind the choir. In particular overseer Rev Benson Katakwa was so committed and supportive for this cause in which the choir did us proud,” said Pastor Chikanya.
Online Reporter