Rev Chivaviro releases 10th album

Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Entertainment Reporter
Gospel man of song Reverend Tapera Toggy Chivaviro has bounced back with an early Christmas release of his 10th album simply titled “Ebenezer -Tirimunyasha”.This eight-album recorded at Artisan Studios in Harare was mixed and mastered at Sipho Makhabane’s Cut ‘n’ Edit Studios in Johannesburg.

The celebratory album features eight other top Zimbabwean gospel artistes while three tracks were hymns and the rest were Rev Chivaviro’s own compositions.

According to officials from Artisan Studios, 1 000 copies of the album were sold with the first week of the launch in Germiston and Durban, mostly by Zimbabweans based in South Africa.

The album opens with the track “Anniversary” which is a celebratory song for anyone who has achieved a milestone in their lives, whether it’s a birthday, wedding, business or church anniversary. The follow up tracks is “Ebenezer” featuring the doyens of gospel Pastor Charles Charamba, Baba Mechanic Manyeruke, Noe Zembe, Pastor Lawrrence Haisa, Rumbi Zvirikuzhe, Kudzi Nyakudya, Bethen Pasinawako Ngolomi and Apostle Juliet Chivaviro .

The song give thanks to God “for taking his people thus far”. The song says it is not easy but with God nothing is impossible. Artists were invited to help in celebrating Rev Chivaviro’s milestone. Again it is a song for everyone celebrating an achievement.

On “Apo Mambo Opinda”, a favourite hymn of many, it features praise and worship artist Takesure Zama Ncube.

The song says in life people should focus on what they shall say when Jesus Christ comes again. It urges people to preach the gospel of repentance and salvation more. “Hoyo Mushandiri Washe”, is another hymn where the singer is acknowledging God for sending him or her into the Lord’s vineyard.

“Dombondipa Meso”, is dedicated to the Rev Chivaviro’s late father and it is a prayer for someone who needs to know how those who overcame before him or her did it. In other words it is a plea for heavenly insight.

Last but not least, “Mweya Mutsvene Pindirai” is a worship song where the singer appeals to God to help people in difficult situations. It is an intercessor’s song pleading for the Spirit to intervene in transforming various negative situations to positive ones.

As far as production is concerned, the latest release is a mature effort considering that Rev Chivaviro has come of age. He has a rich discography of albums some of which have been repackaged and been made available as part of the 10th album celebration.

His first release was in 1999 called “Peace, Hope and Love”, then in 2000 he released “Power”.

In 2006, he released “The Best Of” (Compilation) before coming back in 2009 with “The Return”. His last album was “Ishe Taungana (Hymnal Worship Vol 4)” released in 2013.

Rev Chivaviro has also won a number of accolades in the last decade including

“Musica Peace Award” in 2003 for music that promotes peace. He won the award alongside Alick Macheso and Ephat Mujuru for the song “Runyararo” off the album “Komborerai Africa”

In 2010, he was the first Zimbabwean musician to be nominated at the SABC Crown Gospel Awards in the Best of Africa Category for the song “Mumwe Ariko Kumusoro”.

At present Rev Chivaviro is the Apostle of a Ministry called Assemblies of Pentecostal Methodists (APM) head-quartered in South Africa with branches in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and the United Kingdom.