Mathias Mhere gives praise to the Lord

National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NA CZ) will on Tuesday launch culture month for Harare Metropolitan province at Nyatsime Cultural Heritage Centre in Chitungwiza.

Speaking to Standard Style, William Ndinde, the NA CZ Harare Metropolitan provincial arts manager encouraged members of the public to come in their numbers and be part of the celebrations so that they will be reminded of Zimbabwe heritage and celebrate it in style.

“This day is merely a celebration of what we have been doing the past years as it had been declared as culture month,” Ndinde said.

“Culture is identity, way of life and our living so, we have been celebrating this day in different communities and this time around we are doing it in Chitungwiza because we are a community based initiative.”.

Ndinde said the event, which is running under this year’s theme Celebrating Cultural Diversity: Leaving no one behind, is going to be free for everyone.

“The show is for free because one cannot pay to celebrate his/her own identity,” he said.

“It is not a commercial show but merely a celebration of culture which we should preserve for posterity.

“The difference with culture week is only that we have elevated the event from a week to a month.

“May 21 has also been declared by the United nations through UNESCO as the world day for cultural diversity for dialogue and development and in Zimbabwe we cannot celebrate our culture in a single week hence a culture month.”

Ndinde said there was nothing amiss from moving from culture week to culture month and it is going to be a unique way of celebrating culture as Zimbabweans in a diversified manner.

May 21 has also been marked as the day of celebrating development within a cultural context, so here in Zimbabwe development is taking place in every aspect and it has to conform with culture.

To complement the cultural celebrations, there is going to be a showcasing of traditional dances, culinary, attire, music, poetry, tools amongst others.

GOSPEL musician Mathias Mhere last Wednesday launched his 10th album titled Thanksgiving in Harare which he said was a way of thanking God for grace and success.

The album was produced by Cymplex, Makumbe Production, Limitless Production, Joy of Life Studio and Big Sounds Studio.

“I would like to thank God for his grace. It is by his Grace that our launch was a success not by our efforts,” he said.

“We could not do this on our own but God was with us all the way and step by step. So all l want to say is thank you Lord.”

Mhere believes the album will bless people in different ways.

The album has 13 tracks which largely appreciates and honours the Lord for his grace on Mhere.

Mhere, Dorcas and Freeman unveiled the album by performing track number 2 , Acharwa Ndinyerere in front of a responsive audience.

Another artiste who graced the launch is none other than gospel legend Mechanic Manyeruke who performed his song Moses and the fans sang along.

The first track Mukundi, features Munyaradzi Munodawafa and reminds people that they are winners according to the scriptures and those who walk by faith are conquers. It is followed by Acharwa Ndinyerere, Mukadzi Akanaka, Taura Naye, Nyasha Ndione, Sungano naMwari, Munhu Ana Mwari Wake, Shanda Mudzimai, Izita rake Mwari, Ichaperera Kuna Pirato, Check Your Time and Amen featuring Gary Tight and Kupfuma Ishungu.

Acharwa Ndinyerere, brings in a message that the Lord is going to fight all his battles and it was liked by his fans when he performed it. Mukadzi akanaka (track three) also tackles marriage statuses today and that divorce is sometimes caused by a misunderstanding and a good partner comes from above.

Mai TT, who was emceeing the launch together with Comic pastor, also performed her song Mwari Makanaka and on Thursday after the launch she posted on her Facebook page that she was honoured to have been given a platform to sing one of her songs. Madam Boss was also present supporting man of the moment dressed in a blue suit.

The album’s biggest bidder took home the CD home at a cost of US$10 000.

Mhere’s other albums include Tinotenda Nyasha, Anoita Minana and Nguva Yenyasha, among others.