Every 12 hours a new artist is born into Zim's heavily contested gospel music industry

The gospel music industry in Zimbabwe, is among the fastest growing industries, with approximately twelve to fourteen new artists being born into it every week, this reporter can reveal. Despite the fact that the Bible is full of examples of people who commercialised the work of preaching the good news of Jesus Christ such that they ended up with their faiths shipwrecked. The sons of Sceva, the notorious Ananias and Sapphira and the famous traitor Judas of Iscariot are among the most saddening ensamples to us all who want to live by preaching the Word of God whether by singing or via the pulpit.

But unlike most modern day gospel artists singing for the love of money and fame, Freddy Baloni is one unique example of a man truly called by God to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ through song. If he had a kraal with a thousand bulls he would have sold them all to raise money to record his music. Born and bred in the post independent Township of Kuwadzana about 25 minutes from the city of Harare Zimbabwe, the young man has remained resilient over the years. He has, according to his testimony, sojourneyed through his personal dreadful and howling wilderness. Setbacks, shame, years of delay and much waiting have rather nurtured than weaken his gift.
His latest eight-track gospel offing entitled Jehovah Wezvinobatika (Jehovah of Tangible Things) is an rich exposition of biblical truth and a profitable memoir for the days of our lives.

His lyrics in the first track, Mwari Anotirwira (God Fights For Us), reverberate the admonition that was once delivered to the saints by St John when he wrote to the early Church and I quote, 'the reason the son of man was made manifest was to destroy the works of the devil...'. The story in that song strongly urge believers never to allow anybody to hinder or dissuade them from doing what they have to do to fulfill their godly call and purpose as God will inevitably encompass them with His loving tinsel wings in the day of evil.

"Do not bow to or serve the in securities in another person. Do not allow fear to abort your destiny, your mission for God in the earth. Be bold and be strong: walk in the compassion of God and take the nations in His name!," said Freddy.

As a loving and carrying father and husband of one wife, Freddy believes in the fear of the Lord as the beginning of all godly wisdom. In one of his songs, Hondo naSatan (War Against Satan), he intimately sings about his child who apparently caught a fever upon waking up in the morning, despite the fact that the previous night his child in question had slept well and in good health. Freddy suspects the devil for such a calamity and in that particular song declares war against the devil for sickening his child! Such is the love of a father towards his family. He doesn't want any of them sick

Baloni's tunes might be the next big thing in Zimbabwe to rock the cradle of gospel music. His is a type-set to upbeat the gospel tempo this season! Jehovah Wezvinobatika was released late last year in Harare and recorded and mastered by Mr Lyton Ngolomi of the popular lyngo beats which made hits for Blessing Shumba, Matthias Mhere, Agartha Murudzwa and Bethen Pasinawako Ngolomi of the award winning Extreme Afrique Gospel Choir. The singer has three gospel music projects to date, apart from this one!