MALAWI’S Ambassador to Zimbabwe Jane Kambalami has hailed the Zimbabwean community for accommodating Malawian citizens in Zimbabwe.
BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
Kambalami made the remarks on Saturday night during celebrated gospel outfit Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Voice of Mbare’s debut live DVD recording at the 7 Arts Theatre in Harare.
“CCAP Voice of Mbare are my brothers and I am happy to be part of this gathering. I want this DVD to be dedicated to the people of Zimbabwe since they have welcomed us Malawian citizens here in Zimbabwe,” Kambalami said much to the delight of the audience.
She also went on to salute the Zimbabwe national football team, the Warriors, for winning 2-1 against Malawi in the opening Group L Africa Cup of Nations 2017 football qualifier played at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on the same day.
“I am not a jealous person. Let me congratulate the Zimbabwean Warriors. They went there and doused the Flames,” she said.
Malawian singer Skeffa Mulongoti Chimoto was a guest artiste at the concert that was well attended by the Christian community from a wide spectrum of the social strata.
The Lilongwe-based musician praised CCAP Voice of Mbare, saying they had managed to preserve their culture through music.
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“It was a great experience performing with one of the celebrated groups in Zimbabwe. I am humbled that CCAP Voice of Mbare engaged me to be part of their first-ever live DVD recording and I hope this project will be well received and do well on the market,” Chimoto said.
He urged upcoming gospel musicians to be humble in their endeavour to spread the Word of God through music.
“Upcoming gospel musicians must know that when they are singing, they are doing it for the Almighty and must not sing to please ordinary people. The way they behave really matters both on and off the stage,” he said.
Chimoto was in the country for the second time, having been here last December for a familiarisation tour that also resulted in him recording with the group.
The musician featured on three songs composed in Shona (Nyasha), English (Freedom) and Chichewa (Ambuye Alinane) off CCAP Voice of Mbare’s latest album titled Flash-Back that was also unveiled at the concert.
Chimoto, who arrived last Wednesday for the concert, is expected to leave today.
In an interview, the group’s chairperson William Mikaye said recording of the live DVD showed how devoted they were to spread the Word of God through music.
“This is a first from our side, to record a live DVD and we were amazed by the support from both the musicians who performed and the fans that graced the event,” Mikaye said.
He said they would be going to Malawi for some gospel shows where they would also be supported by Chimoto as a way of marketing and taking their music beyond borders.
“We are planning to go to Malawi, South Africa and Zambia and hold some shows in order to market ourselves regionally. After touring the region, we will then focus on other places and that is what we have in our future plans,” he said.
Gospel enthusiasts were in for a treat as the event attracted hundreds of fans from across the country with Vabati VaJehovah, Thembalami, veteran musician Machanic Manyeruke, Eternity New Generation Choir, CCAP Sakubva and CCAP Holy Youth who were the supporting acts putting up top-notch performances during their sets.
Formed in 1985, CCAP Voice of Mbare is a 17-member male group.
They recorded their first album Nga Nga Nga in 1996, second album Ishe Makanaka in 1998, third album Alemekezeke in 2002, fourth album Kufamba naJesu in 2004, fifth album Jesu Ndiye Wangu in 2006, sixth album Mbiri Kuna Mwari in 2010, seventh album Kune Musha and eighth album Flash-Back recorded last year.
