Rebecca Malope
Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
TOP South African gospel artiste Rebecca Malope will be in Bulawayo later this month to celebrate her 30 years in the music industry with local fans. As part of her celebrations, the Angingedwa hit-maker is expected to headline a one-day ‘Gospel Divas’ concert at Queens Sports Club on May 29. This will be her first performance in Bulawayo and she will be backed by Mai Charamba, Abigail Mwembe, Rudo Nyoni, Lady Tshawe, Lorraine, Thobekile and Tholakele.
Straight after church as the concert is on a Sunday, gospel lovers will be expected to flock to the venue to watch Malope, who has over 30 albums to her name, belt out hits such as Umoya Wami, Ngizifihla Kuwe, Somlandela and Shwele Baba. Activities for children have been lined up including jumping castles and face painting. Tickets to the show have been pegged at $10 for adults and $5 for children with the show set to commence at midday. Advance tickets are already available at Fingers Hair Salon, Sandy’s Hub, Cell to Cell and Link up Media Centre in Bulawayo.
Concert organiser Barbara Chikosi of Red Rose Entertainment, who is fresh from hosting a sold out Chris Martin concert in Harare, said the family show would also serve as a belated Mother’s Day celebration.
“This gospel divas concert is meant to celebrate women. That’s why there’s a ladies only line-up. We’ll have tight security as thieves and unruly elements might think we’ll be lax because it’s a gospel concert,” said Chikosi.
Malope will hold a similar concert in Harare at the Harare Gardens with Mai Charamba, Amanda Sagonda, Agatha Murudzwa, Carol Mujokoro, Irene Tigere, Olinda Marova-Ziwenga, Bethany Pasinawako-Ngolomi, Sharon Manyonganise, Joice Simeti, Hannah Chikosi-Mapepeta and Rumbi Zvirikuzhe backing her.