Golden Jubilee celebrations for choral legends, The Original Messiah Choir

Bulawayo’s oldest choral music group, The Original Messiah Choir, will mark its 50th anniversary with a grand celebration at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEC) on Saturday. Since its formation in 1974, the choir has been a cornerstone of choral music, initially rooted in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Luveve.

Of the founding members, only four remain active, underscoring the enduring legacy of the group. The milestone event promises a memorable night, featuring performances by 12 Gates from Zambia, Sonwabo Gila from South Africa, 12 Gates Zimbabwe, Sounds of Comfort, and Sikhululiwe Dube.

The choir director and composer Lamech Ndimande, who joined five years after the group’s inception, reflected on its storied history.

“The choir was founded in 1974 by Mr Titus Tshuma, inspired by the Wings Over Jordan choir of the 1960s. Initially, members were recruited based on their ability to read and interpret musical notes. Our first director was the late Joseph Shumba,” said Ndimande.

However, the choir’s name evolved following a split in 1980.

“The original name was Messiah. After a misunderstanding, Shumba left and formed a new group, also called Messiah. During a competition, we were compelled to rename ourselves The Original Messiah Choir to distinguish our group. Shumba’s choir, later known as Bulawayo Messiah, dissolved in 1988,” Ndimande explained.

From its modest beginnings, the choir now boasts close to 50 members. Over the years, it has participated in competitions organised by the Umthwakazi Musical Association and sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive and the National Railways of Zimbabwe. However, the group shifted focus in the 1980s to prioritise its core mission — preaching the gospel through music.

“We’ve performed in countries such as Malawi, South Africa, and Botswana, and at significant events, including for former President Robert Mugabe and the family of the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Nkomo. Recently, we sang at the burial of the late Tshinga Dube at the National Heroes Acre,” said Ndimande.

Despite its rich history, the choir has only recorded six albums in 50 years, a statistic Ndimande attributes to their commitment to quality.

“We started recording late and are strict on perfection. However, we’re preparing to record a new album due to growing demand,” he said.

Their albums include Hallelujah (1993), Jehova Mufudzi (1995), Emnqamulezweni (2005), Uvukile (2008), Indabendala (2014) and Uzocatshaphi (2018).

The choir has been led by notable figures such as Pastor Enos Mlotshwa and the late Harry Mlauzi, who conducted the group for 40 years until his passing last year. – @themkhust

Over time, the choir has acquired significant assets, including a coaster bus for transport, an office, and computers for training members. Chairperson Kenneth Mpofu said the Golden Jubilee celebration will be a time for thanksgiving.

“The event at ZIEC Hall 2 will be a day to thank God and the community for their support over the years. Tickets cost between US$5 and US$20, which include our albums. It will be a day of joy and reflection,” said Mpofu.