Maphosa recalls genesis of Gwanda Gospel Festival

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South Africa-based Zimbabwean businessman and Bigtime Strategic Group founder Justice Maphosa, who is the brains behind the Gwanda Gospel Festival, says his upbringing and subsequent success encouraged him to give back to the mining community through the worship fiesta.

South Africa-based Zimbabwean businessman and Bigtime Strategic Group founder Justice Maphosa, who is the brains behind the Gwanda Gospel Festival, says his upbringing and subsequent success encouraged him to give back to the mining community through the worship fiesta.

By Staff Reporter

Justice Maphosa

Relocating to South Africa at a time the country was going through a devastating economic crisis in 2008, Maphosa felt the urge to uplift the small mining town as soon as his fortunes started to turn.

In a statement to unveil the third edition of the three-day festival which starts next Friday, the business tycoon explained how the open-to-all event came to be.

“The ideas of running the Gwanda Festival came from me being grateful for what God had done for me. For the battles God had taken me through, for everything that I have asked God and I have seen it come through,” he said.

Initially, Maphosa wanted to do it in Durban, South Africa but an after-thought compelled him to breathe life into his hometown.

“Zimbabwe needs good stories; it needs good shows and it needs God. At that stage, there was drought, there was no water and at that time Zimbabwe was going through a lot of issues. There was no food and there was no petrol. This is when this idea was crafted,” he said.

“I was born suffering and if you look at life, at times it will pin you down to the way you were born. But, I was blessed and God has blessed me to be what I am. We then need to honour God.”

This year’s edition will see legend Oliver Mtukudzi share the stage with ZimPraise, Mahendere Brothers, ZCC Mbungo Stars, Tholakele, Knowledge Nkiwane and Judith from Gwanda.

Expected to attract tens of thousands to the town, business will be brisk, with the organisers promising a well-planned and glitch-free showcase.

“We want Gwanda to be the altar for the whole of Zimbabwe where the whole of Zimbabwe converge for free,” said Maphosa.