Zimbabwe: Gospel Artistes Thrill Fans

 

Zimbabwe: Gospel Artistes Thrill Fans

The Herald (Harare)

November 20, 2006
Posted to the web November 20, 2006

Wonder Guchu
Harare

IF the youths say "akakora", they really mean it. Akakora could mean being strong, powerful, gifted or skilled in any field.

So when it's said Gorden Taurai Nzira akakora, there are no two ways about it except that the young man has set his foot on the right path.

His well choreographed and refreshing performance at the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex at the weekend during the Gospel Divas Concert where he was the guest artiste and the only male performer, was proof of his ability.

He is live and unselfish when he delivers, unlike many who would spend time drawing attention to themselves while ignoring their music.

The use of both major Zimbabwean languages -- Shona and Ndebele -- gives the tall athletic artiste an advantage over others because he reaches out to a wider audience.

This is why he delivers most of his songs as duets, which he initially did with Otis Ngwabi, who is now in South Africa. For Gorden, it was song after song and the audience loved him.

Of course, if you listen carefully you pick traces of the South African gospel or even Kudzai Nyakudya's, but then gospel music has become a brand. Just like many other brands, there are some that sell and others that do not sell.

It's no secret that the South African gospel brand sells, especially Lundi's and Rebecca Malope's. So if Gorden's songs carry such traces, he is just being part of a favourite brand.

And it's paying off because all the songs he performed on Saturday were hits that kept the audience onto their feet.

Another gospel artiste, Mercy Mutsvene, who has benefited from the popular South African gospel brand but has managed it well, performed last at the concert. This effectively meant that all other groups curtain raised for her.

Mercy, who had a black evening dress on, knows what the people want at this time -- hope, sympathy, assurance and a calming voice. And her opening song Jesu Anouya Rinhi? set the tone because the name Jesus is synonymous with hope.

The diminutive Donna Chibaya was recalled for an encore for her song about Noah's ark and the people's disbelief. Although Donna was called a Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave copycat in the early days, she has since found her own footing.

In any case, it was not her fault that she had to sound like Fungisai but her record company that believes that Fungisai gospel brand brings in the money. When Fungisai left to join Tonderai Studios, Ngaavongwe sought to create another voice and another personality to keep the Fungisai brand alive.

And they found Donna whose dance routine and indeed voice were made to look and sound like Fungisai's.

The Bethany Sisters who came on stage clad in white dresses could make their performance better if they tighten up their stage work.

They have powerful voices but their dance is still haphazard.

Judging from her well-polished performance, Ruth Mapfumo, has grown. Her routine brings everything -- a variety of dance groups' routines and Alick Macheso's Borrowdale, razor wire and chikopokopo dances. Even her beat that has a traditional tinge is refined.

But the concert discovery was Bethen Pasinawako whose album, Ndinzverei, is doing well on the charts. Although she has not yet grown in as far as a live performance is concerned, the Mufakose-born girl has potential.

She still has one album and one great song but the audience took an instant liking for her.

Joyce Simeti is a great performer. Her music is soft and meant to be listened to.

With a headdress 10 times the size of her head, the tall lanky diva could not even shake her head.

But then she wooed the kids onto the stage thereby making her task easier.

Amanda Sagonda or Amai Brendon, who is now based in Chiredzi, had nothing much for the audience but for her band members whom she had a lot of praise for.

Although most of the performances were first class, this time Chitungwiza, which is known for its love of music, did not come out.

The Aquatic Complex which is usually full had a handful of people who had a great time despite the stuffy atmosphere caused by lack of air conditioning.