Mnangagwa applauds SDA Church in nation building

The Celestial Chorus Soiree, a gospel concert that ushered Christians into the New Year with soaring hymns and uplifted hearts, has continued to unite worshippers and gospel musicians from diverse denominations across the world.

Now in its third edition, the Celestial Chorus Soiree - the brainchild of multi-award-winning gospel musician Everton Mlalazi - was held on New Year's Eve at the Harare International Conference Centre, drawing a packed and diverse audience for a night of worship and reflection.

Curated around Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) hymns, Celestial Chorus Soiree Volume 3 brought together a blend of local and international artistes on one stage. Guests travelled from as far afield as the United States, Italy, Australia, Nigeria, Zambia, Eswatini, Uganda, Botswana, Malawi and South Africa, underscoring the growing global appeal of the event.

The audience included government officials, diplomats, celebrities, musicians, as well as members of the SDA Church and other Christian denominations, reflecting the concert's broad spiritual reach.

In a televised address during the event, President Emmerson Mnangagwa commended the SDA Church for its devotion and contribution to nation-building through community development initiatives. He said the church had walked with "healing hands and courageous hearts" through schools that educate, clinics that restore health and outreach programmes that uplift the vulnerable.

"You reminded us of the ancient wisdom: ‘Unless the Lord builds the house, the builder's labour is in vain,'" Mnangagwa said. "As we enter 2026, let us rise in divine partnership. Let us reject the golden calves of division - tribe against tribe, class against class, citizen against citizen - and choose unity that works, faith that serves and hope that builds."

Celestial Chorus Soiree patron and chief sponsor, businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei, also delivered a message of faith and hope. Tagwirei supports the event through his Bridging Gaps Foundation, a faith-based humanitarian non-profit organisation focused on transforming lives and communities.

"Tonight, we have not merely hosted a programme, we have hosted a pilgrimage," Tagwirei said. "We have sung our faith, spoken our hope and rehearsed our future. We now stand at a sacred threshold, the end of one chapter and the beginning of another."

He urged worshippers to step into the New Year with renewed purpose. "As we enter 2026, let us be a Caleb people - a people of a different spirit in our homes, businesses, relationships, leadership and worship. Let it be the year we do not only start journeys, but finish them; not only make promises, but keep them; not only sing faith, but walk it."

The concert featured standout performances from an international roster, including American bishop and urban contemporary gospel artiste Jason Nelson, a majestic 100-piece orchestra, and South African gospel luminaries Bishop Mthunzi Namba, Sibusiso "SbuNoah" Mthembu, Khaya Mthethwa and Fisani Masinga.

Local artistes also delivered powerful performances, with award-winning musicians Janet Manyowa, Petronellah Sengwayo, Canaan Nyathi, Natasha Mlalazi and Sharon Manyonganise Cherayi among those who took to the stage.

Mlalazi, who is also the director of The Vine Choir and frontman of Worship Therapy, thanked the artistes for their inspired performances and expressed gratitude to attendees for their continued support.

"This gathering is anchored on our theme drawn from Psalms 19:7, which reminds us that the law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul," he said. "That scripture set the tone for an evening of worship, reflection and heartfelt thanksgiving."

The night concluded with a captivating drone display that lit up the Harare skyline with various messages, including New Year greetings to the public, bringing the curtain down on a memorable start to 2026.