Local gospel giants Takesure “Zamar” Ncube and Mathias Mhere will share the microphone as headliners with yet-to-be-named “big” South African gospel musicians in leading worship at the annual Gwanda International Gospel Festival set to start on Friday until Sunday at Pelandaba Stadium.
By Kennedy Nyavaya
The relatively quiet mining town of Gwanda will be vibrating entertainment and business will come to life as the free-of-charge three-day gospel festival, hosted by Bigtime Strategic Group, returns for the fourth consecutive year.
In a statement his spokesperson Alson Darikayi, Bigtime Strategic Group CEO Justice Maphosa, described the fiesta running under the theme The Walls of Jericho did Fall, as a drawcard for the nation to congregate in the area.
“We consider this as a calling and our desire has always been that Gwanda becomes an altar for the nation of Zimbabwe where people from all parts of the country converge to call on God free of charge,” said Maphosa.
This year’s line-up features a diverse range of local gospel musicians as well as those from South Africa that will include Pastor Neyi and Omega, Thinah Zungu and Gwanda’s Hybrid Psalmz.
“We are excited to have this year’s lineup of gospel artistes with a genuine hunger for God and a deep inclination to worship Him. Our desire is to see the banner of God lifted high as we passionately praise and worship Him,” Maphosa said.
His team has promised the usual glitzy set-up consisting of an international stage, lighting, marquees and fireworks as has become synonymous with the show.
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“Millions of dollars have been spent on it (the festival), it is a very big show as we are expecting a gathering of thousands, so there is a lot that has been spent on it but I cannot give you a figure,” said Bigtime Group brand manager Millicent Chanetsa.
Hundreds of guests and logistics crews will be accommodated in Gwanda this year in what is meant to boost the town’s businesses.
Darikayi said despite the seemingly humongous logistical bill, his boss was committed to continue with the show
“As a policy, the Gwanda Gospel Festival, for our group CEO even if it costs a billion dollars, we will do it, but we will not give you figures,” he said.
in an interview with The Standard Style last year, Maphosa admitted that bringing the show together was “painful”, but insisted they would continue to “do it because it is a calling”.
“Gwanda is painful and you do not even know half of it. When people are celebrating, some of us are busy saying silent prayers because we know what we have been through,” he said then.
Gwanda Gospel Festival has grown to be arguably the most sought-after gospel music gala that brings together musicians from South Africa and Zimbabwe at Pelandaba Stadium.
