Gospel artistes stamp authority on Zima list

Religion Writer
BUDDING gospel musicians will cap the year with a bold statement as they are dominating the Zimbabwe Music Awards nominees list that was released last Wednesday.
If the recent Prophets Emmanuel and Ruth Makandiwa Invitational Concert Awards Night (Permican Awards) were seen as a fluke for gospel artistes, the Zima will endorse them.
The likes of Janet Manyowa, Pastor Michael Mahendere and Takesure Zamar Ncube who dominated the Permican Awards buoyed by their albums ‘King of Glory’, ‘Makanaka Jesu’ and ‘Kuregerera in advance’ respectively, also appear on the Zima nominees list.
The trio’s productions are contending for the Album of the year and the Best contemporary gospel music gongs.
Manyowa and Pastor Mahendere presents a powerful combination in their running for the Best Collaboration award against stars like Ammara Brown, Jah Prayzah, Roki, XQ, Trevor Dongo and Soul Jah Love.
However, Manyowa seems to have a greater purple patch with additional nominations in the Best female artiste, Newcomer and Single of the year awards.
Pastor Mahendere is also contending for the Best male artiste award.
In other categories; Vabati vevhangeri, Seventh Day Tynwald East Choir and Tariro yedenga Choir are contending for the Best Acapella award.
Apostle Tapera Chivaviro, Bethan Pasinawako, Blessing Shumba, Mathias Mhere and Grace Murudzwa were also nominated for the Best traditional gospel music.