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Oliver Mtukudzi

Tafadzwa Zimoyo Senior Arts Reporter
Organisers of third edition of annual Gwanda International Gospel festival have announced that Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko is set to officiate the festival.

The festival, which is hosted by Big-Time Strategic Group, begins tomorrow and ends on Sunday at Pelandaba stadium, Gwanda.

Oliver Mtukudzi will headline the festival that will have other acts like Takesure Zamar, Solly Mahlangu, Hlengiwe, Dumie, Zimpraise, Mahendere Brothers, ZCC Mbungo Stars, Tolakele, Knowledge Nkiwane, Tholakile and Judith from Gwanda. In an interview with one of the festival organisers Alson Dakirayi said all is set for the festival with the programme in full swing.

“The stage is set and the musicians are ready to ignite Gwanda stadium. The programme is as follows, on Friday we have Hlengiwe, Bethusile, Luanda Gospel Group and ZCC Mbungo.

“On Saturday we will have Nkiwane, Denzil, Solly Mahlangu, Takesure Zamar, Oliver Mtukudzi and Zimpraise. Sunday is our church service day and Denzil and Minister Mahendere will take it up,” he said. In a statement the founder of the festival and business tycoon Justice Maphosa said the event is open to all.

“The ideas of running the festival came from me as a sign of being grateful for what God has done for me. For the battles God had taken me through, for everything that I have asked God and I have seen it come through,” he said.

Takesure Zamar

He said he initially wanted to do it in Durban, South Africa but decided to bring it home.
“We are tired of reading or watching what other countries have been or are doing in terms of promoting their countries.

“It took me some years though as at that stage, Zimbabwe was going through a lot of issues, but here we are. I then crafted the idea with my team,” he said. Maphosa didn’t want to shed light so far on how much he invested in this year’s edition but some close source revealed that more than three million was spent.

Last year’s edition saw legendary Mtukudzi hit song “Hear Me Lord (I Am Feeling Low)”, as a signature tune as well as for branding during the three-day concert.