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Nhlalwenhle Ngwenya Showbiz Correspondent
LOCAL performers billed for the Gospel Divas show to be held on Sunday at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo say they are buoyant ahead of their performances with one of South Africa’s best gospel musos, Rebecca Malope.

The show, which features a star line up that includes Tholakele, Mai Charamba, Thobekile Nleya, Lorraine, Abigail Mwembe, Rudo and Lady Tshawe, will be part of belated commemorations of Mother’s day.

Tickets to the show have been pegged at $10 for adults and $5 for children with the show set to commence at midday. Advance tickets are already available at Fingers Hair Salon, Sandy’s Hub, Cell to Cell and Link up Media Centre in Bulawayo.

Mwembe said people should come and support local talent as they will be performing for the first time alongside a celebrated icon in Bulawayo.

“Bulawayo has got a lot of talent and we believe it’s just in idle mode waiting to be discovered. Thus the Gospel Divas Show is going to be a platform for such talent. And we want people to come in their numbers so that we can forget about our problems and give praise to Jesus,” said Mwembe.

“We also want to meet her so that she shares her experiences as a gospel icon and also advise us on how to make it in the gospel music circles. I think even after our performances we hope to sit down and talk to her so that she tells us where we’re getting it right or missing it,” said Mwembe.

Lady Tshawe, who is known as a poet, said she was always a singer at heart.

“The word of God is always in my poetry and this is just a smooth transition into what I’ve always been doing. I feel honoured to have been chosen to be a part of the whole gospel show. Hopefully something will come out of meeting up with Malope,” said Lady Tshawe.

Rudo said the show was the biggest she had ever performed at and was ready to impress gospel music fans.

“This is an opportunity for people to hear my music and hopefully I can get a bigger audience to appreciate it. Malope is a huge star and being on the same stage with her is a wonderful opportunity to learn from her performance,” said Rudo. Barbra Chikosi of Red Rose Entertainment, organisers of the show, said the onus was upon the local acts to work with Malope.

“We’ve given them the platform for them to work with her and meet her. It’s now up to them to seize the opportunity and get some valuable information when they interact with her,” said Chikosi.

She said the show would also be a belated celebration of Mother’s Day.

“We encourage all women to attend the show and bring along their husbands and children to celebrate Mother’s Day. We’re planning to take the Gospel Divas many places and make it an international show. We’re going to be performing in foreign lands, as we’re planning to expand the show,” said Chikosi.

On Saturday, Malope will hold a similar concert in Harare at the Harare Gardens with Mai Charamba, Amanda Sagonda, Agatha Murudzwa, Carol Mujokoro, Irene Tigere, Olinda Marova-Ziwenga, Bethany Pasinawako-Ngolomi, Sharon Manyonganise, Joice Simeti, Hannah Chikosi-Mapepeta and Rumbi Zvirikuzhe backing her.