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Yeukai Karengezeka Arts Correspondent
Musicians Leonard Karikoga Zhakata and Mathias Mhere are among several gospel artistes expected to perform at the African Joy live DVD recording set for 7Arts Theatre this Saturday.
African Joy is a fast growing regional group founded by Zimbabwean gospel artiste Sabastian Magacha and has its members drawn from countries such as DRC, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
Zhakata who is riding high with his latest album “Zvangu Zvaita” will have a joint act with Magacha as they will perform their collaboration song “Kwekuturira” a remix of Zhakata’s classic “Gomba Remarara”.
The song has engendered mixed reactions from Zhakata’s fans with some of them saying that it is not what they expected.
Mhere who was on a national tour for the past weeks will also take the opportunity to treat his fans with his popular songs.
Other artistes to perform include Taurai Nzira, Vabati VaJehovha, Flem B,Sunshine City Choir, Gospel Power and Kudakwashe Mutsvene who will be launching his debut album “Chirangano”.
Magacha’s manager, Benjamin Rupapa said all is set for the concert.
“Everything is now in place and all the participating members from other countries are already in the country and rehearsals are on and fans should look forward to a great show. This is our first recording as a group and songs to be featured are new compositions as well as popular hymns from the countries that are taking part,” he said.
“We have songs in seven African languages including Lingala (DRC), Venda and Zulu (South Africa), Ndebele, Kalanga, Swahili (Kenya) and two other Nigerian languages.
“Our music ranges from contemporary gospel music to sungura or museve feel. We also do worship, Zion mix and rhumba to mention a few,” he said.
Comprising seasoned and upcoming artistes, African Joy is set to take the African continent by surprise.
And with its roots steeped in Zimbabwe, the move is set to take local talent beyond borders.
The main objective of African Joy is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ through music and majoring in African languages so that the word may reach out as many people as possible.
The formation of African Joy was inspired by other popular regional groups such as Joyous Celebration that comprise talented African musicians among them Jabu Hlongwane and Zimbabwe’s own Mukhululi Dube. There have been also other groups such as the Zim Praise Choir that has taken the same route although its members are drawn mostly from Zimbabwe.
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