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The audience at the ZimPraise concert in Victoria Falls

Showbiz Reporter
CLOSE to 2,000 gospel music lovers thronged the Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls on Christmas Day to witness ZimPraise’s debut performance in the resort town.

Crowd pullers Sebastian Magacha of the Bosvo fame, Takesure Zama Ncube and Trust Samende of Mokoomba shared the stage with the gospel outfit and wowed revellers.

The ecstatic crowd that included Hwange West MP Bekithemba Mpofu and Oliver Mtukudzi among others, was satisfactory as it fully packed the Kalala Conference Room at the hotel.

Some who had brought minor children could not help but put them aside to join others on the dancefloor – a scenario which show coordinator Pinias Sibanda said was a sign of a need for more similar occasions.

Song for Zimbabwe hit-maker, Ncube, who recently joined South Africa’s Joyous Celebration stole the limelight with his fusion of afro-jazz.

Speaking after their performance, ZimPraise executive director Wellington Kwenda said they were impressed by the attendance.

“This was a brilliant show and we’ve been humbled by the turnout here in Victoria Falls. We didn’t know that people here love ZimPraise like this. This shows how God is touching people through our music, evidenced by the presence of high ranking icons such as Oliver Mtukudzi,” said Kwenda.

He said they had started scouting for new talent.

“We want to unite nations through music and have started a ZimPraise Academy to identify and nurture talented youngsters to keep ZimPraise going.

“We’ve a ‘Vision 2020’ in which we’re going to be establishing city choirs countrywide whereby we’ll identify talent that would later graduate to the senior choir.

“We see ourselves surpassing what Joyous Celebration is doing, ministering not only in Zimbabwe, but also around Africa.”