HUNDREDS of gospel music lovers thronged the Rainbow Towers in Harare on Saturday, joining several gospel musicians to pay tribute to gospel maestro Baba Machanic Manyeruke’s 40 years of gospel music excellence.
Charles Laiton,Senior Reporter
The musical bash, to honour the country’s gospel legend, whose career dates back to 1973, was organised by Rayclash Trading director William Mikaye, in conjunction with Eternity Production together with a development and research organisation, Pride Africa Network (Pan).
Manyeruke is also set to officially receive his Jaguar XF vehicle, which was bought to honour him by Pan, on December 19 this year.
In an interview with NewsDay, Manyeruke, who could not hide his excitement, acknowledged the hard work done by the organisers of the show.
“I would want to thank all the organisers of this great tribute that has been well-thought-out for me while I am still alive,” Manyeruke said.
“For over 40 years, I have toiled through thick and thin, but have managed to be very consistent with my gospel music. This is why God has used His people to recognise and honour my effort that has inspired so many gospel musicians today.
“I would also like to thank Pan chief executive officer Shepherd Sirewu for the wonderful gift of a motor vehicle, which I never dreamt I could get in my musical career and may God bless them all.”
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Mikaye said it was important to honour people while they were still alive as opposed to celebrating their deaths.
“We are happy to honour our gospel legend. He contributed immensely to the gospel music industry, in particular he inspired many gospel musicians,” Mikaye said. Charles Charamba, who got inspiration from Manyeruke, said: “It is an honour, though it’s coming to an esteemed individual like him, it’s beyond him as an individual, but for us all as gospel musicians.”
“We feel honoured considering him being one of the patriarchs of gospel music in this country alongside the late Freedom Sengwayo and Jordan Chataika together with the Family Singers just to name a few. May God bless all that have contributed towards this event.”
Sirewu said his organisation had been pushed to honour Manyeruke after realising that gospel musicians had been marginalised.
“We have decided to honour our old man and encourage young people to also sing gospel rather than rush into secular music because of cash,” Sirewu said.
“It is not bad to sing secular music, but we also want another Manyeruke after this one hence we are saying we want to honour him and encourage young gospel musicians.
“We are going to hand over the vehicle to him on December 19 during another event organised for him on that day.”
At one point the celebrations were briefly interrupted by a power cut which was quickly rectified as musicians continued to sing songs showering praises on the their gospel legend.
The event was graced by CCAP Voice of Mbare, Vabati VaJehovha, CCAP Holy Youth Choir, Agatha Murudzwa, Fungisai Zvakavapano- Mashavave, Pastor G, Mathius Mhere and Kudzi Nyakudya among others.
Manyeruke has worked with several music producers and currently is working with Jonathan Mgazi as his producer.
