Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo
Zimpapers Entertainment Editor
FOR decades, Belgravia Sports Club has been a playground for some of the world’s biggest stars.
From Nigerian superstar Burna Boy’s fiery performance that lit up the capital in 2022 to South African Amapiano giants who turned the grounds into a dance haven, Belgravia Sports Club has long been associated with high-end entertainment.
Locals still talk about the unforgettable performances by Jah Prayzah and Winky D there, sharing the stage with African heavyweights in shows that married Zimbabwean pride with global sounds.
At one point, Belgravia Sports Club was even considered the premier venue for summer festivals, attracting music lovers from across the country with its central location and wide-open space.
Yet today, a different rhythm has begun to dominate the once-secular stage — the rhythm of gospel.
When Minister Michael Mahendere hosted his Music Worship Festival in July, it was more than just another stop on his busy ministry calendar.
It was a statement.
Thousands flocked to Belgravia, filling the vast open spaces not for a global pop act but for a night of praise and worship with a local artist.
The atmosphere was electric, proving that gospel could draw the same size of audiences usually reserved for secular giants. Mahendere’s attention to detail, from staging to lighting and sound engineering, left many asking: Has he set the tone for Belgravia to become the new home of gospel music?
Now, Minister Ellard and Sharon Cherayi are preparing for their highly-anticipated God Lifter of Men (GLOM) concert next month.
On Monday they shared their poster for GLOM and social media was buzzing.Virtually everyone was happy with the show but there were some questions about the surprise venue as the show is usually held at Harare Showgrounds.
Though they are yet to unveil the line-up for this spring event, for the husband-and-wife duo this is not just another event; it is the culmination of their artistic and spiritual journey together.
Known for their blended harmonies and heartfelt worship, the Cherayis have made a big impact.
Their authenticity lies not only in their music but in their story — two voices joined in both marriage and ministry, embodying the gospel they sing about.
The God Lifter of Men theme has deep roots in their work. It is both a song and a message, drawn from the belief that God raises the lowly, giving strength and dignity to those who put their trust in Him. Bringing that message to Belgravia, on a massive stage, is an ambitious step.
“I am more than ready for Belgravia Sports Club, it is not too big for what I am about to explode,” said Minister Ellard Cherayi.
But the shadow of Belgravia’s event history looms large.When Burna Boy performed there, the production standard was world-class — LED towers, advanced lighting rigs, and a thundering sound system that could rival shows in Johannesburg or Lagos.Other visiting stars such as Cassper Nyovest, Master KG, and Mafikizolo all left their mark at the venue, reinforcing Belgravia’s reputation as a place where African music is celebrated in grandeur.
Local artists like Jah Prayzah and Winky D have equally commanded huge turnouts, proving that the space can support performances that fuse culture with spectacle.
This legacy means that gospel artists now entering Belgravia cannot afford to under-deliver.
Audiences accustomed to fireworks, laser lights, and festival-scale set ups expect nothing less.
For the Cherayis, the challenge is two-fold: to deliver a deeply spiritual experience while matching the visual and technical excellence that Belgravia regulars now see as standard.
Can they transform worship into a production that dazzles without losing its authenticity?
Can they make the spiritual message soar as high as the lights that will beam across the Harare skyline that night?
If successful, their October concert could reshape the gospel landscape in Zimbabwe, positioning Belgravia as the central altar for massive worship gatherings.
It could also inspire other couples and gospel groups to follow suit, proving that the gospel scene is capable of evolving beyond church halls and conference centres into world-class venues.
If the Cherayis falter, however, critics may argue that Mahendere’s July triumph was an exception rather than a turning point.
What is clear is that the stakes have never been higher for gospel music in Zimbabwe.
Worshippers are hungry for live experiences that feel as immersive and technically polished as secular shows, while still retaining the spiritual intimacy that defines gospel.
Mahendere has opened the door, but it is Ellard and Sharon Cherayi who now carry the responsibility of proving that Belgravia can truly belong to gospel lovers.Their God Lifter of Men show will not only lift hands and hearts in worship — it may lift gospel itself into a new era of prominence.
Mathew Masinge