CELEBRATED gospel musician, Togarepi Chivaviro’s latest collaborative effort, Maranatha (Come, Lord Jesus), has gone viral on social media.
BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA
The single — featuring Mathias Mhere, Psalmist Josh Kays, Leonard Zhakata, Agatha Murudzwa, Munyaradzi Munodawafa, Olinda Marova and Juliet Chivaviro — has found many takers and is likely to underline Chivaviro’s status as the master of collaborations.
Although many of Chivaviro’s past efforts went largely unnoticed, it took the hit Ebenezer — a collaborative project with Charles Charamba, Pastor Haisa, Noel Zembe, Mechanic Manyeruke and Kudzai Nyakudya — to open the floodgates of success.
The song has since collected several wards on the continent.
Before that turn of fortune, the South African-based artiste had released a series of hymnal albums characterised by worship tracks that were popular mainly within the Methodist Church of Zimbabwe.
With Ebenezer still topping the charts, the husky-voiced Chivaviro released the album, Mhepo Inoperekedza —Tiri Munyasha Part 2, which is also doing well.
Currently, Mhepo Inoperekedza has been nominated in two categories at this year’s edition of the Permican awards to be held in Harare on Saturday.
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The latest joint track, Maranatha, suits the current situation prevailing in the country, as the musician encouraged people to hang on during times of crisis while pleading with Jesus to come and rescue believers in trouble.
Chivaviro told NewsDay Weekender that the success of the latest song was a testimony of God’s grace.
He described the song as a simple Christmas gift to gospel music lovers.
“I am surprised because Maranatha became an instant hit on social media networks within few days of its release. We are yet to take the song to the radio stations. I think this is God’ Grace. Mhepo Inoperekedza took time to be appreciated after the monster Ebenezer, but this Maranatha song is something else. It might surpass what we have done so far,” he said.
Apart from local artistes, the song also features South Africans Muzi, Putuma and Zandile on backing vocals. Chivaviro said engaging others artistes has proved to be a winning formula and he will release more collaborations in the near future.
“Definitely, you don’t change winning formulae. I believe it is good to work together with as many artistes as possible. It’s more than just singing a song. It is uniting people, bringing people together. It is like soccer, the national team that comprises of players from different clubs commands huge support than an individual league team.
“The idea is that at one point or the other we need to work together. And I do challenge other artistes to follow suit. It is not a usual concept, but it is workable once in a while,” he said.
The latest single was produced at Artisan Studios by Blessing Masanga, the man who did the hit song, Ebenezer.
Chivaviro has released a string of albums including Peace, Hope and Love (1999), Power (2000), Komborerai Africa (2002), Kuna Mwari Zvitaure – Hymnal Praise Vol (2005), The Return (2009), Nguva Yakanakisa – Hymnal Praise Vol 2 (2010), To God Be the Glory – Hymnal Praise Vol 3 (2011), Ishe Taungana – Hymnal Worship Vol 4 (2013), Ebenezer Tiri Munyasha (2014) and Mhepo Inoperekedza-Tirimunyasha Part 2 (2016).
