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Simbarashe Mutizwa Showbiz Reporter
UP-AND-COMING gospel diva Chelsea Mguni has described gospel music in Bulawayo as having a clear gospel message that one can relate to regardless of culture. Mguni, 20, is a member of Vocal Ex, a Bulawayo based gospel group founded last year by three influential figures in gospel circles, Mkhululi Bhebhe of South African group Joyous Celebration, 2008 Idols East Africa winner Eric Moyo and Thembelani Mdlaziba.

Mguni shot into prominence three weeks ago when she featured at the Sithi Uyigcwele Gospel Concert at the City Hall auditorium with her energetic performance when she sang the praise song Mwari Anotsvaga. So good was her performance that the plus 700 crowd requested her to return to the stage and she did not disappoint.

Mguni, who lives with her parents Loveson and Moreblessing Mguni in Emganwini suburb, said she began her music journey at the age of seven after she was asked to take to the stage by her pastors during a crusade organised by her church Family of God.

“I remember in 2000 when I was seven, I sang at a crusade at my church after Pastor Mugari and Pastor Chinyani gave me a microphone and asked me to sing before a large audience. I was terrified and nervous but I managed to muster the courage and I sang very well,” she said.

Mguni did not hesitate to pursue what she was good at so she continued to sing at Senzangakhona Primary School in Emganwini where she was given the opportunity to join the school choir.

In 2007, Mguni said she proceeded to Maranatha Adventist High School in Nketa 7 where she joined the school choristers and she met fellow singers who challenged her to work hard.

“I started singing in the choir when I was young, this is where I met choristers like Manly Dube, Vusani Moyo and Faith Kagwida and that is where my talent was nurtured,” she said.

Mguni, a second year human resources management student at Bulawayo Polytechnic, said her musical journey has not been smooth as her singing career was characterised by discouragements which might have shifted her attention.

“I am the second child in a family of two after my brother Terrence Mguni. My father firstly was not in support of me singing as he always said that I had to do school work first before I turned to music,” she said.

Turning to her journey with Vocal Ex where she sings soprano and alto, Mguni said she joined the choir in 2013 after she was invited by a friend (Thelma) who realised the talent in her.

She said she had always wanted to join a group that shares the same vision with her and Vocal Ex happens to be one such group.
“Ever since I was a small girl, I was dying to join a group that was serious with music so that I can be challenged to work hard and thankfully I found it. Vocal Ex has become my second home where I have found room to grow musically and develop my talent with other talented choir mates,” said Mguni.

Reliving the performance at Sithi Uyingcwele Gospel Concert, Mguni said she had the same butterflies she experienced when she took to the stage when she was only seven.

“Singing before a fully packed City Hall auditorium was a humbling experience for me as I felt the Holy Spirit in that venue. People asked me to continue singing because they were being pushed by the Holy Spirit to do so,” she said.

Mguni described herself as a praise and worshipper whose mandate was to lead people to God through her singing.
She said Vocal Ex had opened up opportunities for her as she has been approached by different musicians that want to sing with her because of the exposure.
“I have been on stage with Pastor G, Mathias Mhere, and Takesure Ncube the one who sang Prayer for Zimbabwe, Mkhululi Bhebhe, Eric Moyo and ZimPraise. If you are a gospel singer I urge you to go out there and reveal yourself to the people,” she said.

Questioned on her relationship status, Mguni said she was single and  not yet in a relationship as she believed God will provide a husband for her.
“I have a lot of things to achieve such as schooling and my musical career,” she said.