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GOSPEL singer Janet Manyowa reckons 2022 was about breaking new ground.
The revered Queen of Praise and Worship believes she managed to spread her wings to other parts of Zimbabwe.
Over the years, she has mainly performed in Harare, but she took a gamble mid-year and held the well-attended “Wanqoba Concert” in Bulawayo.
She shared the stage with Michael Mahendere, Takesure Zamar, Pastor G and other artists from Bulawayo and South Africa.
For Manyowa, this was a triumph on its own since she had never held a high profile show in Bulawayo.
She shared her gratitude ahead of her annual concert, dubbed A Night of Thanksgiving (ANOT) to be held on January 1.
“I think the year 2022 for me has been a year of breaking new ground. I think there is a lot that we did differently this year.
“Having managed to stage an event in the City of Kings and Queens for the first time was one significant milestone. I am totally proud and grateful to God,” she said.
Asked what makes the ANOT 2023 event unique compared to last year’s edition, she explained:
“I think the most significant element about ANOT 2023 is that we hold this year’s event with less restrictions that we had last time because of the Covid19 pandemic.
“Furthermore, the presentation and production style of this year’s event will be different, reflecting the strategic direction the brand is taking.”
Manyowa, who used to hold her events at HICC, also cleared the air on the change of venue.
“I sat down with the organising team and thought it would be significant and profound to host ANOT 2023 at the same venue where we held our very first ANOT in 2017. It feels like a homecoming,” she said.
The diva, who is backed by a star-studded line-up, said good relations were important in showbiz.
“The line-up is predominantly made up of my gospel music friends and family. These are people who we share a good rapport with as Janet Manyowa Music, but most importantly they are people who believe in worship and represent the same God that we believe in – our Lord Jesus Christ,” she said.
She added that it was easy to convince the artists because they had become like family.
“As people we have a good relationship with, they did not need much convincing. It was just a matter of making phone calls,” she said.
With the year fast coming to end, Manyowa shared some of her plans for the first quarter of 2023.
“I am very much looking forward to releasing ‘‘Father’s House’’ – my next album that we recorded live in Bulawayo.
“The album is slated for release in the first quarter of 2023.
“Once that is out of the way, we will then see what else the year brings,” she said.
As an influencer and celebrity, Manyowa shared her message of hope with Zimbabweans.
“My message to Zimbabweans for the new year is based on gratitude.
“A grateful heart is a magnet for blessings.
“Let us thank the Lord, even for the seemingly small blessings that He affords us freely day by day.”
Online Reporter