admin
For members of this group, gospel music affords them a way to share their vocal talents, songwriting abilities, a means to share the gospel and a channel through which they seek to positively influence other Christians, especially youths, to follow Christian standards of good behaviour.
Comprised of five youthful members, namely Sabelo Mkhuhlani, Chipo Phiri, Olga Mkhuhlani, Nyasha Chigumbu and Sanele Mkhuhlani, Remnant Voices have continued to stay fixed on their dream to record an album which they nurtured since their years in Sunday school.
Growing up together and sharing the same faith made it possible for members of this group, who are also members of Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, to decide to take their interest in music a step further by forming Remnant Voices in December 2011.
This development was soon followed by the release of their six-track debut CD album titled “Tatenderana” which was recorded at Eternity Studios in August last year.
“Our desire is to preach the word and to encourage our fellow Christians through music before the second coming of Christ,” reads a statement from the group’s album CD sleeve.
“They became an organised group in December 2011. As elders in church we identified these kids from our Methodist Church and noted that they had been vocally gifted. Altogether they were five kids – three girls and two boys.
“As they grew up we encouraged them to come up with their own songs. In August 2012 we managed to record six songs on this album,” said Mr Elvis Kawanza, who manages the group.
He added that singing gospel songs in church during worship services encouraged members of his group who were still young children at the time to develop an interest in music.
He added that out of the five, only Sabelo is formerly employed while the rest are either in school or are not gainfully employed.
However, despite their collective passion for music, there are several factors that militate against this youthful side, making it difficult for them to improve the quality of their music or market themselves through live shows.
Chief among these factors was lack of financial support to buy instruments, record songs, shoot videos and lack of exposure.
“We delayed releasing our album Tatenderana because of lack of financial support. As you can see there are only six songs on our CD. We could have added more songs if money was not a problem.
“We allowed our members to record six tracks in order to encourage them since they had been practising for quite a long time.
Recording this album was a way of getting them started.
“Funds permitting they will record more songs in future albums,” said Mr Kawanza.
Despite their funding problems, Mr Kawanza said his group benefited from the support of members of his Methodist Church who supported with money, motivation, technical support and prayers.
Feedback: [email protected]
Online Reporter