AWARD-WINNING musicians, Togarepi Chivaviro and Celebration Centre’s, Bonnie Deuschle have been nominated for the inaugural Trumpet Africa Gospel Music Awards (Tagma) to be held at Pretoria State Theatre in South Africa on May 29.
BY Jairos Saunyama
The awards are the brainchild of South African marketing guru, Zanele Mbokazi, who founded World Gospel Powerhouse, also the producers of SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards.
The awards have 20 categories. Chivaviro and Deuschle are the only Zimbabwean battling it out for glory against the crème da la crème of gospel music drawn from across the African continent.
Chivaviro’s hit song Ebenezer-Tiri Munyasha, which he composed with various local musicians, was nominated for Best Gospel Collaboration and he will face off with Deuschle’s Yahweh.
The two are in the same category with Wumi and Victizzle (Nigeria) and Kenya’s Benachi and Kabere.
Chivaviro was also nominated for the Best Traditional Song Category together with Nigeria’s Enkay, Shongwe and Khuphuka (Swaziland) and Worship House (South Africa).
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Speaking from his South African base, Chivaviro said he was humbled to be nominated for the continental awards.
“We thank God for taking us this far. We believe it is not of our own making, but just the abundance of grace. We were very humbled, being nominated is deeper grace, and this song Ebenezer has opened unlimited doors for us. We believe we are going there representing our country.
“By God’s grace we might bring home something, but we are very satisfied with the recognition itself,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chivaviro, who is riding high with his latest album, Mhepo Inoperekedza, will represent Zimbabwe as a guest performer at the awards ceremony.
He joins a list of eight other renowned African gospel musicians among them Benjamin Dube (SA), James Okon (Nigeria), Mabongi Mabaso (SA), Joe Mettle (Ghana) and Uche (Nigeria).
Mbokazi said all was set for the inaugural awards ceremony that will be held annually in different African nations.
She said the event is meant to celebrate the success of African gospel music as well as bringing the continent’s artistes together.
