A new chapter in Zimbabwe’s gospel music industry was unveiled this week with the official launch of the Shekinah Gospel Awards, an initiative aimed at restoring recognition, strengthening legacy, and promoting excellence among gospel artists.
Speaking at the launch, founder and CEO Macdonald “Macdee” Chidavaenzi positioned the awards as more than a ceremonial event, describing them as a cultural and spiritual intervention in an industry he believes is at risk of losing its historical grounding.
“The roots of gospel music in Zimbabwe run deep, but our appreciation of that journey is fading,” Chidavaenzi said, tracing the genre’s evolution from missionary hymns in the early 20th century to the emergence of local pioneers who shaped a distinctly Zimbabwean gospel sound.
He paid tribute to early trailblazers such as Mechanic Manyeruke, Jordan Chataika and Freedom Sengwayo, who brought gospel music into the mainstream, as well as post-independence icons including Brian Sibalo, Charles Charamba and Fungisai Zvakavapano. Their contribution, he said, laid the foundation for today’s generation of artists.
However, Chidavaenzi raised concern over what he described as a growing disconnect between contemporary audiences and the genre’s history. Citing informal research, he noted that a significant number of young artists and fans are unable to identify songs from earlier gospel musicians — a trend he warned could erase Zimbabwe’s musical heritage if left unchecked.
“It reflects a lack of intentional culture in celebrating those who paved the way,” he said. “If we continue like this, future generations may not know our current leading artists.”
The Shekinah Gospel Awards, he said, were conceived to address this gap by creating a structured platform that honours both past and present contributions while nurturing the future of gospel music.
Beyond recognition, the initiative also seeks to professionalise the sector. Chidavaenzi outlined plans for a transparent and data-driven adjudication system, drawing from his experience as a former adjudicator with the National Arts Merit Awards under the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe.
The judging process will incorporate verifiable metrics, including chart performance, audience engagement at live events, and digital streaming data — an approach he said is designed to ensure credibility and fairness.
“We want an awards system that artists can trust,” he said.
The inaugural ceremony is scheduled for December 12, 2026, at the Harare International Conference Centre, with organisers positioning it as a national event that will bring together government, the church, corporate players and the creative sector.
Chidavaenzi called on the government to support the growth of gospel music through policies that increase airplay on national platforms and create accessible venues for performances. He also urged investment in creative grants and skills development to sustain artists and generate employment.
“Gospel music plays a critical role in shaping the moral fabric of society, especially at a time when communities are grappling with challenges such as drug and substance abuse,” he said.
To the business community, he extended an invitation for partnerships, framing the awards as an opportunity to invest in a growing cultural industry. He also appealed to the church to bridge divisions between recording artists and ministry-based musicians, emphasising unity and mentorship.
Members of the media were urged to play a constructive role in shaping the narrative of gospel music, while artists themselves were encouraged to take ownership of the platform.
“This is not a personal project; it is a national mandate,” Chidavaenzi said. “No one is coming to build this for us — we must do it ourselves.”
Framing gospel music as both an artistic and spiritual calling, he stressed that the awards would prioritise not just performance, but purpose.
“Gospel music is more than melody — it is a mandate,” he said. “We are not just celebrating talent, but the message and the values it carries.”
As Zimbabwe’s gospel industry continues to grow in both popularity and influence, the Shekinah Gospel Aw
