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Everything seems to be coming together for Sabastian Magacha. At 30, the singer, songwriter and energetic performer is fast becoming a darling in southern Africa with a vast body of uplifting gospel songs in his signature exuberant praise and worship style. Our Senior Entertainment Reporter Jonathan Mbiriyamveka (JM) chatted with Sabastian Magacha (SM) on the eve of his first ever live DVD album launch tomorrow. Find out what makes Saba, as he is popularly known in music circles, tick.

JM) You’re about to release a new DVD, what’s the title?
(SM) Yes I’m releasing a new live DVD entitled “Munondisimudzira 1+1”.

(JM) How different is it from other videos that you’ve done so far?
(SM) All the videos I have done were not live on stage. Now this one has a full band and you get to feel how it’s like to hear my music live.

(JM) Who are some of the artistes featured on the DVD?
(SM) I didn’t feature any artiste on this project because it was only my music which I was doing as I wanted to give my fans in the country and across the world the real feel of my live music.

(JM) Saba, most people say they get blessed when they listen to your music, how do you do that?
(SM) I look at myself more as a minister of the word of God through music so when it’s time to minister I get into my office and deliver what God has given me. If you take a listen to most of my songs they minister to our daily challenges and so I come up with God-given solutions or word of encouragement from the word of God. So people get blessed because I’m ministering the word of God in music. My music is also very energetic so I have heard some say ‘we are blessed by the energy in your music’.

(JM) Which are your favourite tracks on the upcoming DVD?
(SM) I don’t have any favourite track on any of my songs or on the DVD because when I write each of my songs they are God inspired and they have a deep meaning to me and a different effect when I write or listen to them, but my fans do have their favourite songs; the likes of ‘Bhosvo’, ‘Satan Imbavha’, ‘1+1’, ‘Mashoko’, ‘Hama’ and many more. I discovered that these are some of the favourite songs during live shows in that if I don’t play them the fans will surely demand these songs.

(JM) You have set new standards in gospel music, what is it that you’re doing differently from others?
(SM) As I was growing up there wasn’t any contemporary gospel music. I had this new sound which I always wanted to bring out and waiting for the right moment. So my music sounds different and fans love it like that. I also try by all means to change my act when I’m performing on stage. I have a band which is full of charismatic and energetic performers which makes my delivery easy and on point. I have managed to bring this new contemporary sound and changing my act all the time.

(JM) Tell us about African Joy.
(SM) African Joy, African Joy, wow! Where do I start . . . this is a small group of young talented people from different nationalities coming together to break the barrier of language through praise and worship in our continent. We have a solid line-up that comprises music in Lingala, Nyanja, Kalanga, Ndebele, Shona, languages from Nigeria and Ghana, French and many other languages. We are scheduled for our first live DVD on the 4th of October at the 7 Arts Theatre. Our aim or job is to lift the name, to exalt the name of Jesus in all languages and we can and are doing it.

(JM) How did you become involved in that project?
(SM) This is my baby. I have had this idea for so many years but I had to nurture it first through getting right knowledge with regards to the music industry and show business. I have worked with a lot of artistes and groups in the country and beyond. I feel its time I give birth to this baby.

(JM) Which are the countries/artistes involved?
(SM) We have DRC, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Zambia and we are aiming to incorporate more countries as we grow. Most of the artistes that we are working with are from Zimbabwe the likes of Sibusiso Harvey, Kuda Mutsvene, Thobekile and we will feature a few seasoned artistes like Flem B, Gospel Power, ZCC Mbungo, Mathias Mhere and a few more

(JM) What is your message to the fans?
(SM) Get this live DVD and get blessed. It’s got everything and please don’t buy pirated ones. A new baby has been born in our country called African Joy, so to all my fans who have been supporting me throughout the years continue to do that as we launch this new project as great things and songs are lined up.

(JM) Are you going to be touring with the new DVD?
(SM) Of course. This is my first live DVD and my fans across the world have never had this experience on all my tours. I will be going on promotional tour so that I share with all of my fans and to God be the Glory.