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ZimPaise Choir . . . ready to serenade UK fans

Entertainment Reporter
ZimPraise Choir is set to go on their first international tour of the United Kingdom next month where they will hold two shows – one in Birmingham and another in Luton.
Dubbed “Sungano/Covenant Tour”, the choir will stage their first show on November 2 in Birmingham at Campions Church before they head to Luton for a concert scheduled for November 9 at the Dunstable Conference Centre.

Accompanying the 30-member piece choir will be Stanley “Pastor G” Gwanzura and Tembalami who will be spicing up the concerts. Music-wise, it will be praise and worship including some of the old songs that made the choir and Pastor G household names.

Of late, ZimPraise has become a leading choir comprising 100 vocalists and instrumentalists drawn from different churches.
As the choir grew so has its brand that it is now one of the biggest choirs to emerge in Zimbabwe. What is interesting about the choir is that its members are mostly youths.

During their live recording of “Sungano DVD”, an estimated 8 000-strong crowd comprising the young and the old attended the concert held at the Harare International Conference Centre.

ZimPraise chief executive Joseph Madziyire was overjoyed the choir was finally being recognised beyond Zimbabwean borders.
“The choir’s song titled ‘Sungano’ is sure to get believers as well as worshippers begging for more during the tour. The song has been topping the charts on most radio stations in the country including political rallies, weddings, parties and church gatherings. This recognition is a result of seven years of hard work which the choir and its producers put into the ZimPraise brand,” said Madziyire, who is a devout member of the Apostolic Faith Mission Church.

He, however, said it was never an easy road to stardom as there were obstacles on the way.
“It has been a long winding road and I had to sacrifice everything including time just to develop the choir and run it professionally. ZimPraise is not only about music but it seeks to empower the youths who are the stakeholders.

“But as we built the choir together with other progressive youths, there were some who wanted to destroy that which we had built over the years.

As the CEO I suffered verbal abuse from some members and insults.
“I am happy to say that we went through it all and the choir is going on this tour. We are taking 30 members who have never gone on tour anywhere.

In future we hope to take new faces on tour so that everybody gets to see what goes on during international tours,” he said.
The 25-year-old entrepreneur and music producer, Madziyire was recently nominated for the prestigious Young Influential Citizen for the Megafest Awards.

Asked about the tour, Madziyire said it was through God’s work that the choir was able to go to the UK. “I strongly believe in ZimPraise vision because it is a God-given mandate. Everything comes from the grace of the Lord and no one can stop that,” he said.

The choir staged a successful concert dubbed “It’s all About Jesus DVD” in July, a project which many thought would flop as it was held during the election time.

However, everything went according to plan and thousands of gospel lovers attended including heads of churches.