admin
PULSATING and invigorating sum up the recently held Gwanda Gospel Festival.
Now in its second edition, the near flawless four-day event held at Pelandaba Stadium lived up to its billing and left the multitudes of Jahundans satiated. Certainly, the organisers learnt from their initial mistakes and the roping in of Government through the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) as a partner helped them go an extra mile in creating a near perfect festival.
Everything from the stage, performances and general organisation of the event was spot on. Besides being a worship festival, running under the theme “Bow Down To God”, the event certainly brought leisure delight to the hosting community.
It is not every day that Gwanda residence get to witness first-grade entertainment, such delicacies are for major cities like Bulawayo. The thousands that made up the crowd daily, came either for the sermons that punctuated the event or the music part but eventually they all stayed in the venue until the wee hours of the morning.
Of course, there are various entertainment activities like the Matabeleland South Rainbow Province Arts Festival that are usually held in the otherwise sleepy mining town but this one was just in a class of its own.
The stage was exceptional, big and decorated enough to warrant appreciation from visiting gospel queen Rebecca Malope whose exposure is unquestionable. One could easily mistake it for an international stage ready to host any of the top American stars.
The lighting, which supported an extraordinary sound system, was fantastic and fittingly changed colours to suit outfits/regalia donned by performing artistes. Moreover, every step of the event was being captured on cameras that were set on different angles of the stage, including a drone that had worshippers/revellers captivated as most were seeing the machine for the first time.
Also, there was a massive fireworks display on the first day of the festival and during the official opening. The display, which is miles ahead of those that many have become accustomed to, lasted for close to an hour on both occasions.
Rather, the festival just like was the case in the not-so-successful first edition of the event, gave the longest duration of fireworks display in the country (Hifa and Harare Agriculture Show included).
Off the stage, there was a two-piece VIP marquee that was air-conditioned and had flat screen televisions in all four corners of each segment. There were about four high-end industrial generators that were used to bring life to Pelandaba Stadium.
The power generating machines were used to improve the general lighting of the overall venue as well as supporting the powerful public address system since “the national grid power supply allocation to the venue was not sufficient”.
Perhaps the perfect and conducive atmosphere is the reason why gospel musician Mathias Mhere and his band delivered a spirited performance that led to brainchild of the festival and Bigtime Strategic Group chief executive Justice Maphosa developing a keen interest in the young lad’s work.
“His performance is captivating, he is really good,” remarked Maphosa during the performance.
In addition, Bigtime Strategic group boss also re-affirmed the annual event was in Gwanda to stay.
“The Gospel show will forever stay in Gwanda; we don’t want it to go anyway. The moment we decentralise, it seizes to serve its purpose,” he said.
“Look at how the Cape Town Jazz festival people prepare and buy tickets for the event in advance and we want the same for this festival. Such events have great spin-offs to the hosting community hence the reason we want to keep this in Gwanda so that the town develops to its full potential.”
The biggest draw card for the event was Rebecca Malope, who performed once and she delivered a flawless act that was well received by the entertainment starved lot.
Other artistes from South Africa included Hlengiwe, Dumi Mkokstad and Lusanda while the couple of Baba naMai Charamba, Zimpraise, Knowledge Nkiwane, ZCC Mbungo, BICC Gwanda Praise and Worship Choir among other represented local artistes.
The general feeling among attendees was that Mhere stole the show.
He swiftly rose to occasion on two separate sets he was given resulting in the crowd dancing and singing along to his songs.
So compact was his act that at one point MC’s struggled to introduce next acts after his set as the crowd kept on shouting “Mhere”.
His choreography, which included two ladies and a gentleman, was so exquisite and in sync with his powerful beat and vocals such that he literally had the crowd eating from his palm.
And the artiste was shocked by the reception. “This is our first time to perform in Gwanda and we are happy they have received us well and they like our music. We would like to thank the organisers for according us this opportunity. The setup of this place is a clear testimony of God’s power,” said Mhere.
“We usually have shows in Bulawayo but since Gwanda residents have shown love for our music, we will henceforth be coming to perform in the town often. The reception was just amazing and I could not believe it.”
Gwanda Mayor Councillor Knowledge Ndlovu believes the Gwanda Gospel festival is a step towards improving morality in the city and promoting arts development.
“The event is going to put us on the calendar, on the map. We hope the group will live up to their promises and we will play our part so that this engagement is successful and we don’t lose out on this wonderful opportunity. Surely the event is going to boost our local artistes including the arts industry in Gwanda,” he said.
“This blending of artistes from as far as Harare and South Africa is healthy in arts development. There are seasoned artistes that are taking part in this festival and I’m sure our artistes will learn a lot and improve their standards. We expect the benefit not only to be for the festival but even after.”
ZTA head of corporate affairs Sugar Chagonda said: “We are delighted the festival was a success and the success is not only for Gwanda but the region and nation at large. We hope the event will be even bigger and better next year. We are in the right direction with regards to religious tourism promotion.”
The festival was graced by Ministers Walter Mzembi and Abednico Ncube, ZRP commissioner general Augustine Chihuri, ZTA chief executive Karikoga Kaseke and Chief Musarurwa among other dignitaries.
Online Reporter