ZIDAFO Gospel Festival 2016: What a Spectacle!

The inaugural edition of the Zimbabweans In Diaspora Artists Forum (ZIDAFO) Gospel Festival lived up to its pre-event hype, when 30 expatriate Zimbabwean singers gave a spellbinding performance before a full house here on Saturday. The festival was held inside Arch-Angels Church of Nations in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, under the theme 'Our Arts On Top'

The brainchild of Zimbabwean singer and music promoter, Promise "DJ Mapressa" Sibanda, ZIDAFO is a forum that caters for the promotional and marketing needs of Zimbabwean artists based in the Diaspora, especially those living and working in South Africa.

Should the adage "the first cut is the deepest" find any relevance in this festival, then the future breams bright for not only the organisers of the event, but also the participating artists and fans alike, as the 2016 edition oozed professionalism all round. The idea, branding, choice of groups, marketing, attendance, organisation, artist and fan behaviour as well as the performance all left revellers spellbound and asking for more. Ultimately, the night seemed shorter than usual.

A combination of both debutants and the experienced, the ZIDAFO show brought to the fore even the hitherto sleeping giants of Zimbabwean gospel music: the likes of Thabile Ndebele, Monica Ncube, Kosa Tshuma, Edomeco and Hlanjiwe, who all have the capacity to not only rise into being household names, but can also win awards and give the so-called big guns some sleepless nights. Among the usual suspects who entertained as usual were Sisters of Paradise, Imvuselelo Yamakholwa and guest artist, Collen Moyo.

Also in the menu were the performances of Nombeko Khahlela , Indumiso Choir , Glory of god , Abathandwa benkosi , Ithemba labakholwayo , Umthombo ka Krestu , Matie and Living waters, I Agenda Yamazulu, Fuzufulele , Preachers of God , Inkazimulo yamakholwa , Leah and the Vessels, Sabelo Sgabade, Izingelosi Zezulu, The Revival Ambassoders, Thulie Mangethe, Nothando Ndlovu and rising star Kosa Tshuma.

The transition from one act to the next was continuously laced with the unwavering humour of Tsholotsho boy, Mongezi "DJ Mthwakazi" Shaba Mpofu. The icing on the cake came from a powerful, albeit short motivational speech from Pastor Acts Aota of the Orange Groove-based Grace Chapel Church, who challenged both the artists and revellers to stop fixating themselves on gossip and negative into taking the first steps towards their own personal success and prosperity.

Show promoter, DJ Mapressa, who is also the ZIDAFO President, was obviously elated with the first steps shown by his child and promised to oversee its metamorphosis into an annual and bigger event only suitable for a stadium.

"I couldn't have wished for more. The festival was a huge success and this obviously means it has to become annual event. We will hold it again next year and all the following years of our stay in the Diaspora," said the Tsholotsho-born promoter.

"What I liked most was the behaviour of our more than 30 artists, who all performed well with energy and unmatched respect for both their trade and colleagues. Akekho oke wanxaphela omunye kuhlonitshweni kwaze kwasa. Siphakamisa umculo wakithi siku Diaspora. I also have special mention of or guest artist, Mr Moyo obe who came all the way from Bulawayo for this festival. I believe that in the history of any Zimbabwean Gospel in Concert in the Diaspora this show had the biggest attendance."






What a spectacle!