By Desire Ncube
Harare- ACAPELLA gospel music outfit Firm Faith Zimbabwe will this October resume their regional tour which coincides with the launch of their ninth album “Munesimba” in Sandton, South Africa.
This will be followed by Mozambique and Tanzania.
The South African tour comes after the group had a sold-out concert in Lusaka, Zambia where they filled the 6 0 00-seater Blessing Center, sharing the stage with Zambian groups The Divine Trumpets and The Promise.
Speaking to this publication, Firm Faith Founder and music director Marshal Matsilele said all is now in place for the South Africa tour. He promised all accapella music lovers in those countries a night filled with praise, hope, and entertainment.
He said just like the Zambia tour, their upcoming South African, Mozambican, and Tanzanian concerts will be annual events.
“We are responding to countless requests that we are receiving on our social media platforms, our music has resonated with thousands if not millions of people particularly in our region of Southern Africa. We promised our fans and all accapella music enthusiasts that we will come whenever they want, hence these tours,” said Matsilele.
“We settled for Sandton Adventist Church because we thought that it is big enough to accommodate all our fans but personally, I’m afraid that it will be way too small for the concert. We are getting enquiries from as far as Cape Town and Durban; people want to come to witness the ‘Munesimba’ album launch in South Africa. We will see what we can do to make sure that we will not disappoint our fans,” he added.
Matsilele said his group will also use the South African tour to record videos. “We are planning to use this tour to record videos; we will select songs from the album – Munesimba – for which we will record videos. People have been pushing us to record videos, and we have heard them. In South Africa, we will share the stage with Reality 7, a renowned South African accapella group, and Emmanuel.
“This is our first time hosting a concert in South Africa, and we are excited. This tour aims to spread the gospel message and showcase our music across Southern Africa,” said Matsilele.
Matsilele added, “After South Africa, we will go to Mozambique and then Tanzania. Next month (August), we will go back to Zambia; we have been invited to be the guest group at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church camp meeting in Chainama. Thereafter, we will do this South African concert, then Mozambique and Tanzania.”
Out of the 20 members, Matsilele said 16 group members will travel to South Africa. “Like I always say, my desire is for us to travel together as a group, but as you know, we are a non-profit-making group, and finances are always a problem. This time we are going to South Africa with 16 group members out of 20. Our call remains the same: if there are people out there willing to partner with us – corporations, individuals, or companies – our door is wide open. Our job is to spread the gospel through music; we are a ministry,” he said.
Matsilele said if it were not for the support that they have been getting from their church, The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, their fans, and families, the group could have died a long time ago. “We are here not because we are the best, not because we are wise or well-connected. The Church has been behind us, our fans and supporters are always with us, and our families keep on encouraging us; we won’t take that for granted,” he said.
Matsilele listed the 16 members going to South Africa as himself, Kudzai Paula Matsilele, Peamer Tanhara Maponga, Primrose Ndlovu, Lisa Chinyama, Anotida Chikandiwa, Theophelus Nyamidzi, Sharon Chingara Muparadzi, Tendekai Mukawu, Sibusisiwe Moyo, Chiratidzo Tobaiwa, Tinashe Nelson Muhoni, Barnard Madembo, Audry Mumba, Musawenkosi Nxumalo, and Mathew Mhembere.
Firm Faith is well-known for their harmonious vocals and inspirational lyrics. The group was formed in 2005 and rose to fame after winning the third edition of Harare Got Talent in 2010. It has released several albums, including their latest one, “Munesimba”, which was launched in 2024. Their music is all about spreading hope and encouragement, and they have done some awesome charity work at orphanages, churches, and hospitals. The group is truly making a positive impact through their music.
