IN a striking display of resilience, seasoned gospel singer and Nyaradzo brand ambassador Agatha Murudzwa-Bosha turned a modest turnout into a powerful altar of worship during the launch of her 18th studio album, Sermon, at David Livingstone Primary School in Harare on Saturday.
Clad in a bold muscle top and sporting an elegant hairdo, Murudzwa-Bosha commanded the stage with spiritual authority, weaving her message of divine healing and liberation into every note.
In spite of the low attendance, the atmosphere was electric with sincerity, marked by unity, upliftment and gospel excellence through a well-branded occasion sponsored by Nyaradzo and furniture experts Calundike.
Murudzwa-Bosha opened her act with her old and popular hit songs No Pain No Gain, Makorokoto and Ndozvatisingade before preaching through the songs Elohim and Jesu Vanopedza off her new seven-track album Sermon.
The other tracks from the new album are Ndatenda Mwari, MufudziAnotungamirira, Pindai Mutsvene, Usandisiyei and Rudo Rwenyu Harupere.
Events directors Lona Muguti, aka Manjenjenje and Stanford Marima kept the audience attentive and always eager to listen to the next exciting act.
With themes rooted in divine intervention, endurance and grace, Sermon is poised to rekindle Murudzwa-Bosha’s visibility in the gospel landscape, especially if followed by consistent live shows, targeted digital releases and regional collaborations.
The emotionally-charged and doctrinally-grounded compositions position her for ministry tours, speaking engagements and cross-border gospel summits, aligning her more closely with the likes of Rebecca Malope, Sinach and CeCe Winans.
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If properly marketed, Sermon could usher her into a new era, not only as a singer, but as a spiritual mother and thought leader in African gospel music.
Little known youthful Kirsty provided the opening ministry through hip-hop and amapiano gospel renditions.
She said she intended to fit in perfectly with her youthful colleagues, especially when she got to university to study social work.
The energetic Mazambara hitmaker Mai Patai enlivened the audience and brought the congregation to the stage to sing in response to Muzambara Pinda.
It was then followed by a sing along and union in chorus with Minister Micheal Mahendere, who gave the audience a feel of his Messiah Tour with songs like Tangai Neni and Messiah in close to an hour of praise and worship.
Well-branded Pastor Trymore Bande revived the gospel music event with songs Vangawa Vachinamata, Muimba yaMwari, Kuri Kwedu and Kuriritira Vana.
Murudzwa-Bosha was backed by a talented ensemble which comprised Farai Bapata (backing vocals), Tafadzwa Dhliwayo (backing vocals), Arripileng Kwela (backing vocals), Moira Sekete (backing vocals), Simbarashe Simbi aka Zim Drummer (drummer), Alvin Marapira (lead), Joseph Makureya (bass), Theophilus Chamburuka, (first keys) and Innocent Kalongonda (second keys).
“We will soon be taking the music album Sermon throughout the country of Zimbabwe,” Murudzwa-Bosha said.
The first two Sermon albums went for a US$100 each and with several delegates who were in the VIP tent buying the album ad libitum, with others even suggesting to push the price upwards.
Prominent apostle and prophet Pastor T Fred, who was among the guests, expressed immense happiness to witness people who pay to gather and worship and praise the Lord God.
Murudzwa-Bosha, who has been in the industry for 23 years, pointed out that the dispersed release of her 18 music albums was due to a myriad of factors which range from lack of consistent income, family and church commitments and the digital platforms failing to convert markets to sales, among others.
Over her remarkable 23-year music journey, Murudzwa-Bosha has penned and performed songs that have cemented her as one of Zimbabwe’s gospel matriarchs.
From early classics like Makomborero, Ndozvatisingade and Jehovah Wakanaka, to more reflective tracks such as Ngatichengetedzane and Amai, Murudzwa-Bosha’s discography has journeyed through themes of pain, perseverance, joy and worship.
She has weathered industry challenges, adapted to changing tastes and collaborated with fellow gospel stalwarts establishing a body of work that inspires devotion, hope and social awareness.
