By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
BULAWAYO — There’s a new rhythm sweeping through the streets of Bulawayo. It’s not just music. It’s a feeling.
The Ekhaya Worship Festival roadshows have kicked off, and the City of Kings is alive with something rare: unity. From taxi ranks to church pews, from social media feeds to street corners, people are talking about one thing — May 25.
That’s the day when Hartsfield Sports Grounds will transform into a sanctuary of song, light, and praise.
And at the heart of it all is Minister Everton Mlalazi, the man behind what’s quickly becoming the most anticipated worship event in the city.
“This is not just a festival,” says Mlalazi. “It’s a homecoming for the soul.”
And the numbers agree. According to www.tikiti.co.zw which is giving away free tickets, over 15,000 people have already registered.
Believers and non-believers alike are marking their calendars.
Part of the buzz comes from the roadshows themselves — lively, mobile mini-events winding through suburbs, drawing crowds with music, dance, and spontaneous worship.
But another spark has been lit by socialite Ms Waist, who has been hyping the festival across platforms, pulling in a younger, trendier crowd.
“Even if you’ve never stepped into a church, you’ll feel something here,” she posted recently.
The lineup reads like a gospel lover’s dream: South African stars Zaza Mokhethi and Dumi Mkokstad will share the stage with homegrown heroes like Oncemore Six, Canaan Nyathi, and the beloved acappella group Reality 7.
Add to that Dunamis Men, Nkosi Herman, Mai Mwamuka, Lorraine Maplanka, Zimpraise, Family Voices, Vocal Ex, Vocal Base, Blessing Jeduthun, Loveness Mukutirwa, Mwenda Shimunzhila, iWorship Zim, and Tehillah Testament — and you have a festival that promises not just spectacle, but soul.
“It’s not about the stage or the lights, though those will be world-class,” says one local fan, waiting in line at a roadshow stop.
“It’s about Bulawayo coming together to sing. That’s worship.”
As Africa Day approaches, the city is holding its breath — and lifting its voice.
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