Andrew
Veronica Gwaze
AFTER 25 years in the trenches, high-profile acapella gospel outfit Shower Power’s oldest serving member, Mandikudza Sithole, has called it a day.
The 51-year-old Sithole, who has toured the world and bagged several accolades with the celebrated gospel ensemble, reckons that there will be no better time than this for him to walk away.
Sithole is also a former director of this group, which spreads the gospel through music.
“Shower Power has been my home since I was 26, and five years ago, I wanted to retire, but could not do so as the other members insisted that they still needed me,” said Sithole.
He believes that his departure will open doors for other aspiring young singers.
“It is time for me to quit and give youngsters a chance to prove themselves. I had my time and I have no regrets,” added Sithole.
As part of Sithole’s send-off, Shower Power will, on Wednesday, launch its 13th album titled “Royal Diadem”.
The album launch will be held at the 7 Arts Theatre in Harare.
“Royal Diadem” is a 12-track album and its launch coincides with Shower Power’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
Apart from belting out songs from the new album, Shower Power, which is made up of Seventh-Day Adventist Church members, will also perform music from their yesteryear playlists.
Traditionally, Shower Power sings a unique sound of acapella music, known as the African doo-wop. The sound is a blend of the ancient slave trade negro spirituals and the Motown sound, distinctively mixed with African traditional choruses.
Some of the group’s albums are “Shower Power Experience”, “Time Has Run Out”, “God in His Mercy”, “Spirit of God”, “Today, Holy Life, Shower Power Hymns”, “The Journey”, “Latter Rain” and the group’s 25th anniversary double album.
Formed in Harare in 1992, the group was originally called the “Shower the Holy Ghost Power” before it was shortened to “Shower Power.”
Among the group’s earliest hits are “Jesu Anondidisisa”, “Without Love” and “Simba Rangu”.
The group recently released a single titled “Zion”, which has been getting fair airplay and positive reviews.
Sithole went down memory lane, chronicling the group’s early days.
“When I joined the group, the mandate was to win souls for the kingdom of God by preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ through song, and our motto was ‘Salting the Earth Through Song’,” Sithole said.
The group has shared the stage with some of the world’s best gospel artistes who include Donnie Mc Clurkin, Steve Darmody and Andre’ Crough.
In 2013, Shower Power won the International CASA awards for the best African Acapella Album.
Sithole was also with the group when it featured at the prestigious Harare international Festival of the Arts, sharing the stage with the late Oliver Mtukudzi, Janet Manyowa, Tembalami and Pastor G, among others.
During that time, the group toured and performed in Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and the United States.
Sithole’s time with the group was not always smooth-sailing.
“I learnt a lot during my time and gradually became a pillar to the group. We had our ups and downs, but I am happy that we never gave up along the way,” said Sithole, who, in 2017, published a book titled “Stewardship Concepts”.
The group is now under the leadership of Jeremiah Janda.
Online Reporter