Chiyangwa donates church stand

REV Togarepi Chivaviro got a huge relief last week when he got a church stand from businessman Philip Chiyangwa at his album launch held at Anglican Cathedral Hall in the capital.

Chivaviro, a musician and Apostle of Assemblies of Pentecostal Methodists church leader, got the gift at his album launch for the release "Mhepo Inoperekedza (Tirimunyasha Part 2)" and said the stand came as a relief for him as he was using Anglican Premises in Unit M Chitungwiza.

Chiyangwa said he was in love with the musician's hit song "Ebenezer" prompting to give him a stand.

"My wife told me about the song and I am happy that today I am here to give him a stand. Now I want the man of cloth to choose a residential stand or a commercial stand" he quipped.

The musician then chose a commercial stand saying he would then construct a church at the place.

Chiyangwa then gave him a commercial stand and bought the CD at $300.

Several arts personalities that included Elvis Mari director of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and music pundit Professor Freddy Zindi were in attendance.

Mari said the musician's nomination on several awards was an achievement for him.

"Artists should make their music available to the public and also the public should buy original CDs to support the works of the artists. The Government should pass a legislature that curbs piracy. Those found on the wrong side should face the music/' he said.

He also urged the government to set up a centre that has facilities for shows as well as studios.

On the other hand Professor Zindi felt that Rev Chivaviro was short-changed because his hit song Ebenezer did not make it for the song of the year.

He said Ebenezer was played all over hence it deserved to be recognised at the ZIMA and NAMA awards.

Professor Zindi also urged organisers of Sports events like soccer to invite musicians to play and distribute their music to the fans.

The album, "Mhepo Inoperekedza" "Tiri Munyasha Part 2" is his 11th album and it carries eight tracks.

Speaking at the event Rev Chivaviro said he is the one who composed all the songs.

"From my previous albums I used to sing hymns mainly from the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe hymn book and 'Ebenezer' is one song that I took time to compose and I discovered that people enjoy these songs, the original ones that we take time to write hence I decided to come up with 'Mhepo Inoperekedza/ Tirimunyasha Part 2. I composed all the songs," he said.

Prominent musicians including Baba Mechanic Manyeruke, Mathias Mhere, Tatenda Mahachi, Takesure Zama and Janet Manyowa were in attendance.

Some Government officials also graced the event.

Rev Chivaviro's first release was in 1999 called "Peace, Hope and Love", then in 2000 he released "Power".

In 2006, he released "The Best Of" (Compilation) before coming back in 2009 with "The Return".

He released "Ishe Taungana (Hymnal Worship Vol 4)" in 2013 whilst his 10th album Ebenezer was released last year.

Rev Chivaviro fellowships with the Assemblies of Pentecostal Methodists (APM) head-quartered in South Africa with branches in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and the United Kingdom.