IS Leonard Zhakata seeking divine intervention to pull out of the misfortunes that have bedevilled his career for the past couple of years?
Such is the question that one might ask after getting information that the musician will be a guest artist at a gospel music show.

This, coming hard on the heels of his participation on a gospel album, raises even more questions about the Mugove hitmaker’s intentions.
Zhakata features on rising gospel musician, Tauya Murisa’s album titled Mwari Wenyasha.

The Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura) is hosting the Gospel Arise family show at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex on Saturday and Zhakata will be their special performing guest.

His performance would close the show that features a host of local gospel musicians.
Zhakata has been at the receiving end of unfortunate developments such as having his music banned from national radio and television as well as being forced to delay the release of his upcoming album under unclear circumstances.

The musician has already completed recording the album Gotwe/Last Born but its release remains a matter of speculation.
For unknown reasons, Zhakata no longer speaks to the media but Saturday’s gospel show might be a chance for many to see the Zora music singer in action.

Apart from Zhakata, the performance line-up at the show glitters with many other interesting facets.

It will be a time to clear the misconception that has always surrounded Joyce Simeti and Primrose Cement.
The musicians have often been mistaken for each other because of their rhyming surnames.
The two will be on the same stage and many will put name to face.

It will be the first time for splinter groups Vabati VaJehovah and Vabati vaJesu to share the stage and yardsticks will be out to measure how they relate to each other after the acrimonious split.

The inimitable combination of Sebastian Magacha and Bethen Pasinawako would be on the limelight again and the organisers should have taken their excellent fusion into consideration when they gave them adjacent slots on the programme.

Prince Mafukidze (now a pastor) has not been doing public shows for some time and the show marks the return of the talented musician who has come up with good songs like Chitsike and Driver.

It will be a chance for Lawrence Haisa to show gospel fans that he has buried his controversial past and resumed his music career on a serious note.
Newcomers like Innocent Gakaka and Raymond Chakanyuka will have a chance to prove that they deserve regular slots in gospel music shows while Kudzi Nyakudya would be out to reaffirm his popularity.

Other musicians performing at the show include Amai Guvamombe, Vabati Vevhangeri, Chiedza Chavatendi, Olinda Marowa and Gospel Power.
The show is one of the many gigs that Zimura has lined up to raise funds for musicians’ welfare.

The association is working on schemes like medical aid and funeral policies for its members.

BY GODWIN MUZARI

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