SHE came, she performed, and she blessed them.
Report By Godwin Muzari Group Lifestyle EDITOR
In her first show after two years of absence, gospel diva Shingisai Suluma brought the Harare International Conference on its knees as audiences went into a worshipping mood during her touching performance.
The environment was extremely spiritual as some shed tears while others spoke in tongues during her performance in a fete that approximated a Pentecostal church service.
It was on Saturday afternoon and the time was 4pm when master of ceremonies, Kanyemba Bonzo, announced that the United States-based diva would be coming on stage.
A brief sound check by the five instrumentalists leading the way for Suluma was everything the crowd needed to get into a frenzy.
The audiences called out her name in unison and in a few minutes, the nicely dressed gospel sensation came on stage with her Joy Street Choir in trail.
In a true model of followers rallying behind their leader, the choir members quietly took their positions behind their respective microphones.
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There was excitement in the audience as a celebratory sound of a fusion of screaming, shouting and applause filled the auditorium.
With her microphone in hand, Suluma stood in front of her group in silence.
The whole auditorium went quiet, hoping she would say a word but she just stood there – quiet, motionless and in apparent silent prayer.
There was silence for about a minute until the group’s drummer struck his sticks thrice to signal the beginning of a song. Excitement erupted as Suluma started belting her popular song Tatenda Taona.
Such was the beginning of her memorable homecoming show in the country.
Her zeal and passion during the performance turned the show into a praise and worship affair.
Fans sang along to most of her songs and the event turned spiritual.
Suluma would say a few verses of encouragement in intermittent mini-sermons that were laden with touching messages.
She spoke about repentance, challenges, love and perseverance.
Numerous members of the audience shouted “Amen” as the gospel songstress took them on a spiritual music drive.
She performed songs like Fara Zvakadaro, Tenda, Maitiro Enyu, Mirira Mangwanani, Nanhasi and Anochengeta Wake among others in a three-segment performance. She also did two new songs that will feature on her upcoming album.
Choral groups Vabati VaJehovah and Masimba Edenga took over the stage during Suluma’s two brief breaks. The whole of Joy Street Choir changed into new attires for the last segment and capped the show in style.
Suluma introduced her parents, father-in-law and husband to the audience before announcing her departure with the song Tichafamba Naye.
After her performance, she invited her fans for numerous photo shoots behind the stage. It was a memorable occasion that was complemented by good curtain-raiser performances from Blessing Shumba and Amanda Sagonda, among others.
