Bigger and Better Women's Day Gospel Festival

JOHANNESBURG - Bayethe Music Productions and Promotions have kept their word on making their annual Women's Day Festival bigger and better every year, following revelations that regional gospel legend, Shongwe and Khuphuka Saved Group will grace this year's edition of the event.

It will be held on August 8 at the Hillbrow Theatre in Johannesburg. Bayethe Music Marketing Director, Mcasiseli "Gwaza-Gwaza" Ndlovu, told Bulawayo24 News that the company landed Shongwe's signature for the event two weeks ago.

"It's all systems go for this year's Women's Day Gospel Festival and we are very happy to have landed a deal with one of the gospel legends of the Southern African region," said Gwaza.

"The Women's Day Gospel Festival is our company's flagship annual event, so it is imperative that we keep it growing. In line with our company's main thrust of Refining Rough Diamonds, we have also included four Zimbabwean gospel musicians, who will belt it out alongside Shongwe."

The four Zimbabwean groups to share the stage with the Swaziland-born singer are the Bayethe-owned Izwi Lesiphelo, Ben Masuku, Lamulani Fuyana and Sisters of Paradise.

"Those four Zimbabwean groups are not new in the scene. They have shared the stage with a number of great South African musicians and have been part of our Women's Day Gospel Festival since its inauguration in 2012."

A number of new positives have also been added, as the show will take a night and a half this time – starting at 12pm on August 8 and ending at 6am the following day.

 "It will be a very big event, so we might add a few other gospel musicians to make it a night to remember for everyone who attends." Gwaza announced that the show will for the first time this year not be in partnership with its traditional two sponsors, Nandos and Econet.

"We left it till late to negotiate new deals with our traditional sponsors, but we are glad to announce that we have entered a sponsorship deal with a new partner, All-Stars Music, who will sponsor this event.

"This is just the first of five shows we have lined up for the rest of the year. We will also have a Bayethe Maskandi Festival, Bayethe Rhumba Festival, Bayethe Grand Festival and the Bayethe Awards ceremony before the end of this year. "

The Women's Day Gospel Festival will also have a lot to offer fans, as there will be a lot of prizes for them. Tickets for the show are available at R100 (Adults) and R50 (Children below 12years) Those seeking advance tickets can call 071 199 0752 and 082 352 4778 or buy them at Bayethe Music Store in Berea.

The show, in its fourth edition this year, has become an annual event and attracted a full house and received widespread media coverage.