adminfor artistes to preach the word of God to many others who still have not received Christ as their saviour.
If last Saturday’s gospel concert that was held at the Harare International Conference Centre is anything to go by, there is proof that gospel music is fast becoming a means through which Christians from all walks of life can come together in the spirit of praising and worshipping the Lord.
While attending the concert which was part of Open Heavens Crusade of the Apostolic Faith Mission Mabelreign’s Shiloh Word Miracle Centre, it was clear that many Christians in Zimbabwe have developed a love for praise and worship through song and dance.
And I find nothing wrong with that considering that even the Bible encourages believers to rejoice in the Lord.
“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, rejoice” (Philippians 4 verse 4, King James Version).
Having said this, gospel music lovers who attended the concert have reason to be grateful to concert organisers for inviting one of South Africa’s best gospel music artistes, Pastor Solly Mahlangu, who performed at the HICC along with many other local gospel artistes.
Pastor Mahlangu, who is famed for hit song “Obrigado Sikwembu Samadima” and has been a gospel musician for 20 years, showed why gospel music is such a powerful force for uniting people.
He did a rendition of a song “One Love” by the late Lucky Dube which people happily sang along to as they held each other’s hands.
He later shared a painful story of his life of how his father abandoned him when his mother was pregnant with him. Pastor Mahlangu said his father raped his mother when she was still 14 years before running away.
After he was born, his father’s family refused to accept him as a member of their family.
“I will be 41 years in October this year. I have not seen my biological father. I don’t know him; I don’t know what he looks like.
“My mother was raped at the age of 14 years and she was pregnant with me and she gave birth to me (sic). I was rejected by the family of my father but accepted by God,” said Pastor Mahlangu.
As the sound of music continued throughout the concert, much credit should go to our own local gospel artistes for putting up exceptional performances that kept close to 4 000 fans and delegates on their feet.
These artistes and groups who included Pastor Stanley Gwanzura, Prime Minister, Pastor and Mai Olivia Charamba, ZimPraise Choir, Firm Faith, Reynold Marinda,
Joseph Chiwara, Liberty Ticharwa and Dumisani Dukutuku among others performed different inspirational songs in a way that showed how much local gospel musicians have improved with time.
One could, however, not overlook the unique dance moves by Shiloh Dance Group, who danced to Charles Charamba’s music with the result showing how much dance and worship can be tied together for young Christians.
The dance group was comprised of teenage boys and girls and is the brainchild of Pastor Grace Kapswara of New Life Ministries heated the atmosphere during the concert by spectacular dances, which blended well with Charamba’s music.
This is also not to forget the group Firm Faith which spiced up the show with some accapella music, which in a large way cooled down the tempo, as it gave fans a much needed break from hours of dancing when they sang their song “Wanyanya Kuteerera”.
Apart from all the dancing and music, men of God such as Pastor Damburo and Reverend Sasa took some time to pray for the concert and for the nation.
In his prayer while officially opening the concert, Pastor Damburo entreated God to bless Zimbabwe’s political leadership, its industries, and the country’s civil servants while at the same time prophesied for a speedy economic recovery and growth for the nation.
Feedback:[email protected]
Online Reporter
dyton mupawaenda