admingospel groups, Shining Light, which looks set to launch its debut CD album titled “Accepted Time – Nguva Yakafanira” on July 19.
I took some time to listening to their music, and my conclusion is that their music is one that deserves a second thought if anyone were to go shopping for gospel music in record shops.
Traditionally, gospel music has always been sidelined by many especially young music consumers as too moralistic and boring. But this album may be different as it mixes real-life issues and spiritual matters which are explored through popular genres such as jiti and sungura.
The indigenous Zimbabwean beat which runs throughout all the songs makes this album a marvel to listen to.
There are also worship songs, for example the song “Nokusingaperi”, which infuses a bit of deep Shona poetic expressions, in its opening stages, but on the whole talks about God being kind, merciful and eternally loving.
The last song, titled “Tirivakundi”, has a motivational touch to it and inspires confidence in worship as it tells about how believers in God are invincible against devices of the devil which include witchcraft, sin, disease, poverty and many other problems facing the world today.
Altogether, the album – recorded at Revival Studios – has seven songs which include “Mudzikinuri Wangu ndiJesu”, “Ndega Handigone”, “King of Kings”, “Torumbidza Mwari”, “Ndinotenda”, “Nokusingaperi” and “Tirivakundi”.
Pastor Simbarashe Mukwacha, Apostle A. Chingandu, Mrs P. Chingandu and Monica Pabgaungana are the backbone of Shining Light.
Other members include Blessing Masanga and Webster Mapanda on keyboards while Peter Matambo specializes on drums.
Pastor Mukwacha and Apostle Chingandu serve as the group’s directors, lead vocalists and songwriters.
Speaking in an interview, Pastor Mukwacha said: “We started the group in 2010. Around 2000 we had the initial idea to compose songs. I was still in high school back then. At the moment we have close to 50 songs which we have composed.”
He added that he and Apostle Chingandu were childhood friends who enjoyed composing songs when they were still growing up adding that the two of them complemented each other musically.
“Apostle Chingandu’s tracks have a traditional flavor. You find the jiti sound whereas mine are more of jazz” he said.
On why they chose the name “Shining Light”, Pastor Mukwacha said it was inspired by a Bible verse in the New Testament which commanded believers to allow their light, namely their knowledge of scriptures, to shine so that God can be glorified.
Of late, questions have been raised in different circles on whether music was an ideal channel through which the gospel can be preached due to the tendency among listeners to focus more on the sound or beat while ignoring the message.
On this issue, Pastor Mukwacha said gospel music needs to bring healing and a sense of hope in people and thus sound was equally important as the words themselves in order to produce a package that ministers to seekers of God’s truth.
He added that gospel music played a huge role in shaping social behaviour among listeners by encouraging people to attend church and develop a habit of singing gospel songs during their leisure time.
He also said some gospel artistes have been appointed brand ambassadors by different organisations to spear-head several campaigns against road accidents, HIV and Aids and health promotion among others.
While Shining Light looks to the future with hope, provided they receive adequate support through CD sales, proper funding and consistent air-play on radio, Pastor Mukwacha noted the danger posed by piracy which he said had the potential to erode revenue from their CD sales.
“Piracy is illegal. It’s against the law of the land. It can, however, be used to popularise your music but there are no monetary benefits to be expected from pirated CD sales.”
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