LOCAL gospel ensemble, Vocal Extraordinaire, will bless fans with the group’s first show of the year at the Word of Life Auditorium in Bulawayo today.
NONHLANHLA SIBANDA OWN CORRESPONDENT
The show will feature Takesure “Zamar” Ncube and Eric Moyo, who recently signed for renowned South African gospel outfit Joyous Celebration and featured in the Joyous 19 live recording in Soweto, on December 19 and 20.
Upcoming gospel singer Lorraine Maplanka will take to the stage with a guest band. Tiyelani, Obey and Blessing will also perform.
Speaking to Southern Eye Lifestyle, co-founder of Vocal Extraordinaire, Thembelani Mdlaziba, said the show was aimed at thanking God for his goodness as the group had grown beyond expectations.
“Our base and recognition has grown this year and we are grateful to God.
“We had overwhelming invites from various churches in Bulawayo. We were part of Intwasa Arts and Ibumba festivals. We sang at the Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games draw, and participated at the opening and closing ceremonies.
We created relationships with other artistes, locally and international, including Blended 328 from Nashville, Tennessee in the Unites States,” Mdlaziba said.
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He urged gospel enthusiasts not to miss the show as it would stir and inspire them to godliness.
“We encourage gospel lovers to start the year 2015 with us as we share the stage with Takesure and one of our directors Eric Moyo, who recently joined Joyous Celebration.
“People should expect to experience the presence and the Word of God. Maplanka, a gospel princess on the rise, will also get a chance to minister in song. We want to start the New Year celebrating the goodness of the Almighty.
“From the path that God set for Vocal Ex, I have come to realise one thing in particular, and that is, when all is said and done, Christ will ask how many people you have brought to Him.
“As musicians, we are preachers through song. We sing God’s Word to his people. We need grace and God to direct us. It is therefore a call to us that whoever comes for our concert, their life should be touched, stirred and inspired to godliness. That can only happen when God has breathed His Word and life into us,” he said.
The group has a heavy Joyous Celebration influence and Mdlaziba said it was difficult to avoid sounding like the celebrated outfit.
“We cannot avoid the Joyous influence on Vocal Ex, as the leadership is directly involved with Joyous Celebration.
“In as much as Zimbabwe has its own identity and cultures, Bulawayo is situated in a region with more cultures more than any other in the country, so our musical identity will always have that influence. We are Zimbabweans and will do it our own way,” he said.
The group was founded in July 2013 by Mdlaziba, Moyo and Mkhululi Bhebhe.
