admin
THE walls of Jericho have indeed fallen for unheralded Gwanda Gospel Group Hybrid Psalmz and Bulawayo’s little-known Is’cathamiya outfit Indosakusa!
After the fourth edition of the Gwanda International Gospel Music Festival which took place from 5 to 7 October, staged by Big Time Strategic Group with a mix of local groups and South African artistes that took to the stage, we reveal that up-and-coming Gwanda-based gospel outfit Hybrid Psalmz has dribbled its way into the heart of ex-Joyous Celebration vocalist Mkhululi Bhebhe.
Big Time Strategic Group spokesperson Mthokozisi Dube told B-Metro that Bhebhe, who watched this year’s festival online, has offered his helping hand to Hybrid Psalmz.
As if that is not enough for the youthful Jahunda group, Dube revealed that South Africa’s famed musical producer Tshepo Mohlala, a nephew to Mzansi gospel heavyweight Benjamin Dube, wants to produce and record an album with the Zimbabwean outfit.
“When this year’s show took place Mkhululi was in China. He watched the festival online and has put it on record that he wants to work with Hybrid Psalmz. He believes the group has a lot of potential. We’re also excited that Tshepo Mohlala, who runs Left Hand Bass Productions has agreed to produce and record an album with Hybrid Psalmz in South Africa. There is a meeting that already took place,” said Mthokozisi.
Bhebhe confirmed his interest in helping Hybrid Psalmz:
“They were outstanding and it would be a joy to work with them in the near future. I loved their passion on stage, the choreography and their genuineness in worship. They’ll go very far.”
Hybrid Psalmz’ Nelson Chishindi said it was heartening to get such feedback from an established musician.
“We saw his comments on the livestream on Facebook and we’re quite encouraged. We look forward to working with him,” Chishindi said, adding they already had an agreement with Mohlala to record early in 2019.
Right on the heels of their debut performance at the Gwanda Festival, Indosakusa, an acapella gospel ensemble, are reportedly due for a gig in Johannesburg on Saturday.
“Indosakusa are due for a show in Johannesburg in South Africa on Saturday. As Big Time Strategic Group, we say this is the kind of exposure in Gwanda that has seen young groups get these opportunities.
The Gwanda Festival is meant to give such groups a chance to engage with already established people in the process giving people a platform to praise God,” said Mthokozisi.
He added that the Gwanda Gospel Festival was about creating an altar of prayer for the nation of Zimbabwe hence the theme “The Walls of Jericho Did Fall” taken from Joshua Chapter Six in the bible.
“Each year, our desire is to take our praise and worship to the living God a notch higher. It’s an ongoing thing. You cannot say you have prayed or praised God enough. Mathias Mhere was outstanding at the festival and had fans asking for more. His performance was of international standards especially in praise and worship. Takesure Zamar and ZCC Mbungo also outdid themselves,” added Mthokozisi.
The three-day festival had foreign acts that included Dr Tumi, Deborah Fraser, Thinah Zungu, Neyi Zimu and Omega.
Mhere reportedly tore down the walls of language barrier as the locals sang along to his songs effortlessly.
Online Reporter