Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo in Chesterfield, London
BULAWAYO-BASED gospel sensation Sipho Ncube, affectionately known as Snowy, is elated after performing at the prestigious Grateful 3.0 concert held in Birmingham, England.
Marking his debut performance in the UK, Snowy shared the stage with an impressive line-up that included Minister Michael Mahendere, Takesure Zamar, Blessing Jedthun, The Cherayis, Heavens Mutambira, and event host Eleana Makombe.
The talented vocalist, soaking in every moment, revealed in an exclusive interview that he never imagined performing in Europe alongside some of gospel music’s finest, let alone on one of Birmingham’s grandest stages.
“This is a dream come true for me, and I’m absolutely thrilled. I want to thank Eleana and her husband, John, for this incredible opportunity. I was initially a curtain-raiser, but I ended up winning the hearts of many.
“This is my first time in the UK — my first time in Europe, in fact. I’m well-known back home in Bulawayo, but here, I feel like I’m conquering the world. The experience was phenomenal, and I learnt a lot, especially about time management and stage presence,” he said.
The Izibusiso hitmaker said he made valuable connections and, through his management, is planning more shows in the UK.
“The fans loved me; I was in awe, and I gave it my all. I’ve made contacts, and if all goes well, you’ll be seeing more of me here. The people are so warm and full of love. They miss home deeply, and when you speak to them, you can feel that emotional connection,” he said.
Meanwhile, the event itself was a resounding success, bringing joy, unity, and a sense of belonging to Zimbabweans in the diaspora. Held at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre — one of the city’s largest venues with a 3 000-seat capacity — the concert featured radio personality Becky K, comedian Chisale, and Jesse Madigele, who expertly steered the programme. Radio star Noxy hosted the red carpet.
The meticulously choreographed and scripted concert began promptly at noon and concluded at 10pm, with flawless sound and lighting throughout.
Another Bulawayo native, Everton Mlalazi, alongside his Spirit of Praise ensemble — featuring Omega, Dumi, Mmatema, Ayanda, and others — lit up the auditorium with their powerful vocals, leaving the audience yearning for more. Known for his calm and composed style, Mlalazi performed fan favourites Tichanoimba and Ndofamba NaJesu, transforming the entire venue into a unified choir. As expected, Spirit of Praise delivered a stellar performance.
In a heart-warming moment, Eleana Makombe’s husband, John, surprised the stage with a belated birthday cake for Everton Mlalazi, Minister Mahendere, and Matt, the manager of Spirit of Praise — all of whom celebrated birthdays in May. The crowd joined in a spirited rendition of Happy Birthday, led by the Makombe family.
Following the celebrations, Eleana and her team took to the stage with a refreshing twist. Instead of solo performances, all the artistes appeared together, seated, taking turns to perform their favourite hits while being supported by fellow musicians and vocalists. Together, they created a Grateful theme song that captivated the audience.
Blessing Jedthun opened the segment, followed by Sharon Cherayi, Takesure Zamar, Eleana Makombe, Minister Mahendere, and finally Ellard Cherayi, who brought the house down with a rousing rendition of Hakuna Zita SeraJesu.
Eleana dazzled with crowd favourites such as Baba Mune Nyasha and Kana Jehovha Avhura Masuwo, igniting a dancing frenzy. It was clearly a triumphant day for her and her team.
All the artistes delivered electrifying performances, ensuring fans received full value for their money.
Guest of honour and National Arts Council of Zimbabwe Director, Napoleon Nyanhi, endorsed the Grateful Concert series, commending Eleana Makombe for launching an initiative that unites nations through music.
“This is exactly what we want in the arts sector. Initiatives like this can significantly improve and develop the music industry,” he said.
He noted that gospel music has been at the forefront of Zimbabwe’s music and arts development for over two decades.
“If you want to see the best vocalists in the country, you find them in church. The best musicians and instrumentalists are found at gospel concerts. And when it comes to production, pageantry, stage design, and coordination, gospel concerts set the bar.”
