JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA
In 2013, Everton Mlalazi approached Kudakwashe Tagwirei with the hope of revolutionalising gospel music.
The Seventh Adventist member was a hitherto unknown singer in the church. Tagwirei, on the other hand, was a church elder, and a rising entrepreneur in the country.
As for Mlalazi, what he had in mind was praise and worship, and appealing to the younger generation of believers!
So, when Elder Kuda heard about this, he immediately took interest, leading to the birth of The Vine, a gathering of enthusiastic young voices ready to serve God in the best way they know how.
“We want to show the world how to serve God and not the world to teach us how to serve God,” Tagwirei told broadcaster Barry Manandi at the group’s 10th anniversary at Harare Conference Centre.
“When Everton Mlalazi came to me in 2013 he asked how we can revolutionalise music, make it much younger and so refreshing so The Vine was formed.”
Since its launch in 2014, Everton Mlalazi has been founding Director of The Vine and over and above this, he fronts the group.
Seeing growth and opportunity to grow the ministry through music, Mlalazi then formed another brand, EM Music and Worship Therapy, a group that he founded and fronts.
Last weekend’s The Vine 10th anniversary lived to its mandate and billing.
The concert featured over 180 voices on stage including 100-piece Symphony Orchestra, 30 voice choir and 30 children voice choir on one BIG stage.
Music lovers were also led into praise and worship by 15-year-old Natasha Mlalazi, who is perhaps the biggest find so far this year and one to watch out for.
Previously, we never witnessed a member of Seventh Day Adventist putting gospel music on the map in the way that The Vine has done. It was almost none existence.
Thanks to the collaborative effort of Mlalazi and Elder Tagwirei for their partnership has taken praise and worship music to dizzy heights.
Like all anniversaries, guests among them fellow musicians Janet Manyowa, Pastor G, Sabastian Magacha and socialite Madam Boss came dressed to the nines and the lucky one walked away with fabulous prizes.
But it was on the well-lit stage where the magic happened!
Just to show the magnitude and range of the concert, besides Manandi there was Miss Becky K and two other emcees on the night whose combined effort made God’s presence felt.
Mlalazi who was decked out in java printed jacket a matching pair of trousers.
The opening song uplifted the auditorium with most people attesting to the glory of God as the vocals and the orchestra exalted the Holy Spirit.
When Mlalazi exited the stage, The Vine serenaded worshippers into another level performing a medley of songs which left the audience in awe.
The music performed were featured from their debut album Musandipfuure in 2018, and a follow up, The Great Physician. A devotion word also reminded the audience of the purpose of the day to celebrate and reflect on a decade of praise and worship music.
What was clear at the concert was the fact that Christian music, particularly gospel music, is not boring if anything. It is the music of God!
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