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Faith Mandizha

Arts Reporter

Organisers of the second edition of the gospel concert dubbed ‘Fearless Praise’ set for today have said everything is going according to plan and are happy with the developments as all artistes are now ready.

The event is being hosted by Celebration Ministries International at the Celebration Centre in Borrowdale.

The show, which had been put on hold for the past three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, has returned with a bang and this time around it will be headlined by Nigerian award winning gospel jazz star Nathaniel Bassey.

The worship singer, who was expected in the country yesterday night, will share the stage with some of the local acts who include Tembalami Praise, Ellard Cherayi, Bonnie Deuschle and Janet Manyowa.

In an interview with The Herald Arts, Celebration Ministries International public relations official Thandi Nyoni said they were excited to be hosting a phenomenal artiste and opening the doors to worship for everyone.

She said all was set for the show today.

“With Covid-19, Fearless Praise stopped and it’s only recently that Celebration Ministries thought it ideal to bring Fearless Praise back to life and we can finally meet and worship together like we did before the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said.

“Nathaniel Bassey is a worshipper who many can relate to, since he has also never been to Zimbabwe it is humbling that he took the time from his ministry to worship with us.”

Nyoni said the response had been overwhelming, with many wanting to come through to worship with Pastor Bonnie and Nathaniel Bassey, hence the amphitheatre for a bigger crowd.

“Fearless Praise is open to anyone from any denomination though being hosted by Celebration Ministries International it is open to individuals from any church,” she said.

In 2019 at the Fearless Praise, South African gospel artiste Khaya Mthethwa was the guest performer.

Bassey is a singer, pastor, trumpeter and gospel songwriter popularly known for his songs “Imela”, “Onise Iyanu”, amongst others.

Bassey began his musical career in the church, where he then joined the Rhodes Orchestra and played the trumpet for two years.

He rose to fame when he composed a song for Stella Obasanjo, the late wife of Nigeria former President Olusegun Obasanjo and in 2018, Bassey was one of the leading artistes in the Nigerian Christian gatherings.

His debut album, Elohim, was recorded and mixed in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2008 and has been described as a spiritual and artistic masterpiece with the hit track, “Someone’s knocking at the door,” a soft-rock tune currently generating so much interest internationally.