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Mbulelo Mpofu, Showbiz Reporter

GOSPEL songster, Vusa Mangena has come of age and is applying finishing touches to his upcoming concert slated for the Family of God (FOG) Auditorium in Bulawayo on December 10.

Spirits will be uplifted, wounds healed and God praised as the gospel artiste goes on stage with a stellar list of gospel artistes.

Vusa Mangena

The musical extravaganza dubbed, “UnguThixo Concert” will be a springboard to catapult Vusa Mangena’s 2021 album, UnguThixo to lofty heights.

There is strength in numbers and Mangena will be flanked by local saxophonist Vuyile “Vuyi Sax” Qongo, Pastor Barak, Minister Lindani, Skhu and Vocal Ex.

When Jesus said “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,” Mangena truly understood the commission and took it upon himself to actively participate in sharing the Gospel through song.

In an interview with Saturday Leisure, Mangena said everything is falling in place for the concert.
“So far, all is flowing well as we are trying harder to push a lot of ticket sales. Rehearsals are starting this week with our vocal coach Nigel so I’m excited about that,” he said.

Bulawayo is home to some of the finest gospel artistes who include Vuyo Brown, Innora and Mangena (30) has raised his hand, stepped up and delivered when called upon.

His discography has seen him working with Sipho Snowy, red-hot Mai Mwamuka, Mduduzi Ncube, Qeqeshiwe and Lorraine Maplanka.
Mangena said working with the aforementioned artistes was great and was a learning curve for him.

“Working with these big artistes was great. They are such humble individuals. Actually, I have been learning a lot from them musically,” he said.

Together with Takie Ndou and Canaan Nyathi, Mangena has mesmerised crowds.
Everyone has an icon they look up to and Mangena is no exception.
He said: “My music and thought processes are inspired by South African gospel juggernaut Dumi Mkokstad and Takesure Zama. I look up to them for inspiration.

“My musical journey began when I used to sing a lot at church doing covers of songs from different artistes. I used to sing a lot of Freedom Sengwayo’s songs.

Vusa Mangena on stage

“This prompted me to ask the Lord to fill me with the Spirit of composing my own songs and from there, I have been telling my stories through songs.”

Mangena’s exploits in the gospel music sector have seen him being nominated for the Zimbabwe Music Awards (ZIMA) twice and topping the Skyz Metro Gospel Top 10 chart show.

His discography includes his first song, Nkosi bamb’isandla sami, Thembalami, ilizwi, Bambelela and S’khulule. — Follow on Twitter @eMKlass_49