Gwanda gospel organisers rope in ZTA
ORGANISERS of the Gwanda Gospel Festival have this year roped in the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority to give the event a national outlook.
Addressing a Press conference in Bulawayo yesterday, ZTA chief executive Mr Karikoga Kaseke said during the inaugural show, the organisers of the event had faced major problems in bringing in equipment from South Africa with artistes also being denied entry into the country.
Mr Kaseke said South Africa-based Zimbabwean Mr Justice Maphosa, who is the chief executive of Big Time Group of Companies and his team had since sought locals to help so as to avoid similar challenges they faced last year as they prepare for the second edition of the festival that will run from 25 to 28 August in Gwanda.
“This gospel show has no potential to be a national event but is ready to be one as everything on the ground shows the magnitude of work and investment being put into it. We want it to have a national outlook, bringing in people from all over the country. With ZTA coming on board, we want to pacify the problems Maphosa faced before and we are confident that this can be the biggest gospel festival in the country,” said Mr Kaseke.
Speaking on the benefits of the festival, Mr Maphosa said there were a number of economic spin offs with his team having spear headed the refurbishment of Pelandaba stadium and built new toilets as well as the increase in the number of accommodation facilities in the mining town. Mr Maphosa said such initiatives and investments by locals back home were important for nation building and were creating a positive image for the country. “This show is all about giving back to God, it is a huge tithe and offering to Him as we have been blessed and we have to acknowledge that what we have is from Him,” said Mr Maphosa, whose company has an annual turnover of R5 billion. Mr Maphosa said Zimbabweans living abroad are generally considered nomads, and the gospel show seeks to change those perceptions that the international community has of Zimbabwe. He said from last year, a number of Bed and Breakfast facilities had developed in Gwanda after an influx of visitors as the show not only brings artistes from South Africa but a big delegation. “As we speak, all accommodation in the town is fully booked for the show as this year we have doubled capacity. We are working with different people like the municipality, the ZTA and the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe. This is also a chance to create employment for locals and contribute to economic growth,” he said. The Gwanda Gospel show is one way for the country to tap into the religious tourism sector which according to figures is moving 300 million people per year out of the world’s 1,2 billion arrivals as recorded last year.