Songs of Inspiration touches local souls

American and Zimbabwean gospel collaboration, Songs of Inspiration, conducted a week long outreach program that initiated from a gospel exchange with local gospel groups at Pakare Paye; Oliver Mtukudzi’s premiered talent centre to a visit to Newlands Remand Prison.

The exchange gave the local residents a privilege to witness an American gospel performance and as well as gave exposure to the local gospel groups. The Roman Catholic and Methodist churches introduced the acts at Pakare Paye, giving choral and dance performances that got many on their feet and ululating in appreciation.

Song of Inspiration perform at Pakare Paye

The performance by Songs of Inspiration led the exchange into a spiritual sermon as the songs touched the hearts of the audiences. The outreach program also saw the group reach out to prisoners at the Newlands Remand Prison.

Pastor Chantel preached and together with the choir sang to the prisoners. “The visit transformed me, when I walked into the prison and saw the prisoners, who when I got there looked hopeless, full of despair and by the time I was finished, I could see some light trying to shine through,” she said.

The group performed again for people living with disabilities, from Disability, HIV and AIDS Trust (DHAT), winners of the Auxillia Chimusoro award and youth working on HIV/AIDS issues, Africaid, orphans from Chiedza and students under the United States Achievers Program (USAP), which provides access to higher education for determined, bright, low-income youth in Zimbabwe.

Methodist and Roman Catholic churches perform

Songs of Inspiration a collaboration featuring 10 Americans from the Harlem-based gospel choir; Songs of Solomon directed by veteran choir leader Pastor Chantel Wright, included 60 Zimbabwean youth led by Kundisai Mtero, to create a fusion of American soul and African rhythm.

“This to us is not just a performance but a way of interaction. It is from those contacts that I feel the youngsters can benefit from,” said Watson Chidzomba, local artist and manager of Pakare Paye Centre in appreciation to the Songs of Inspiration visit. “There is nothing more we want than partnerships; we treasure partnerships with other artists.”

Pakare Paye was originally designed to be a centre for developing and nurturing young talent in various practical artistic endeavours in the fields of music, dance, drama, poetry, martial arts and storytelling. It has since expanded to include a bar and a restaurant.

The collaboration was a cultural exchange of American soul meets African rhythm supported by the U.S Embassy for this year’s Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA). The group gave a dazzling performance at the Telecel mainstage on Sunday which attracted an audience of about 3000 people.

Song of Inspiration perform at HIFA Telecel Main Stage