Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo
Zimpapers Entertainment Editor
IT was neither framed as a concert nor announced as a grand unveiling.
Instead, the gathering unfolded as a moment of gratitude — deliberate, reflective and deeply personal.
Worship flowed easily, conversations carried warmth and the atmosphere leaned more towards thanksgiving than performance. Only as the night progressed did its full weight become clear: This was both a closing chapter and the opening of another.
The event was a night of thanksgiving and celebration, hosted by multi-award winning Everton Mlalazi, to honour corporates who partnered with him throughout the year, alongside fans, media, family and the wider EM Music team, including management led by his wife Gamuchirai Mlalazi, production, and the Worship Therapy unit.
It provided a moment of reflection, gratitude and alignment as EM closed the year with those who have been instrumental in the journey.
“This night is about thanksgiving,” Everton said. “It’s about honouring God, honouring family, honouring partners and everyone who has walked this journey with us throughout the year.”
Running parallel to thanksgiving was a defining milestone.
“The Great God” album launch marked a reflective and celebratory moment for Mlalazi, blending worship and gratitude for a year shaped by ministry growth, while also setting anticipation for the album’s official release on January 2, 2026.
The timing felt intentional — a year-end offering of gratitude aligned with a project already shaping the sound and direction of gospel music heading into the new year.
The album launch was more than a music release; it served as a thanksgiving gathering that traced Mlalazi’s ministry journey throughout the year. Worship, testimony and shared moments of reflection defined the evening, with audience experiencing an intimate setting that emphasised connection rather than spectacle.
Some of the songs on the list include “Ekhaya,” “Ngeke Kulunge,” “Flying High,” “Munondida Ndakadaro,” “Great God” and “Baba Ndiri Mwana Wenyu”, among others.
Already, The Great God is making its presence felt after snippets were released on social media.
Several songs from the album are trending and sitting high on the 2025 gospel show charts, a rare feat for music yet to receive its official release. Ngeke Kulunge was at number 17 on the top 50 gospel chart show.
The project is being described as Mlalazi’s strongest body of work to date, representing a refined and confident musical direction that signals maturity and clarity of purpose.
“The Great God album is a thanksgiving offering,” Everton said. “It reflects the journey, the growth, and the grace that carried us through this year.”
“The album features notable collaborations with Oncemore Six, Takesure Zama, and Vabvuwi. These collaborations contribute to a dynamic and layered worship experience, enriching both the sound and message of the project,” he said. Collectively, the album positions The Great God as a significant milestone in Mlalazi’s discography and a compelling offering to the gospel music landscape as 2026 approaches.
A defining highlight of the night came with the special appearance of Jason Nelson, the internationally respected American gospel artiste, worship leader and Bishop.
When Mlalazi welcomed Nelson to the stage, the moment underscored unity across borders within gospel music.
Together, they delivered a moving unplugged rendition of the classic hymn “He Touched Me,” alongside a selection of set songs that showcased their vocal synergy and shared heart for worship.
Nelson is widely known for his emotive songwriting and anthems centred on faith, healing and divine encounter.
His presence elevated the event, bringing a strong sense of international fellowship and reinforcing the spiritual depth of the evening.
The performance also marked his formal welcome to Zimbabwe and set anticipation for what lies ahead, as he was announced as one of the headline performers for the Celestial Soirée New Year’s Eve event — one of the most anticipated gospel highlights of 2025.
The Guest of Honour, Dr Kudakwashe Tagwirei, encouraged Mlalazi to remain grounded in ministry and reaffirmed his commitment by pledging continued support to the ministry — a moment that reinforced the importance of faith, partnership, and consistency.
As the evening concluded, there was no sense of an ending — only continuity. Thanksgiving had been offered, vision had been shared and direction had been set.
With The Great God scheduled for release on 2 January 2026, Mlalazi did more than close the year; he positioned worship, gratitude and purpose as the foundation for what comes next.
