Taboka Tshuma, Sunday News Reporter
ZIMBABWEAN gospel singer, Abigail Mwembe has been nominated for the prestigious South African Gospel Recognition Awards (Sagra) that will be held at the Guild Theatre in the Eastern Cape, South Africa in November.
The South African Gospel Recognition Awards, which are in their third edition, are meant to acknowledge up-and-coming artistes showcasing their talents through music. They are a special event to celebrate global gospel artistes who may not have held the limelight, but who played crucial roles as backup singers or up-and-coming artistes.
Mwembe has been nominated in the Best Gospel Project category for her album; Basking in his Glory. The 14-track album, which she worked on with local group Hassana from Harvest House Church and other artistes, broke into DStv Channel One Gospel and ZBC TV.
Abigail Mwembe
In an interview with Sunday Life, the gospel muso expressed her gratitude for the nomination and continued recognition of the work she is doing in the service of the Almighty God.“I am humbled and thrilled by this incredible nomination and continued recognition of my work, let’s vote and with your support it is possible,” she said.
Born and raised in Dete, in Hwange District, Matabeleland North Province, Mwembe began singing at a young age. With both her parents being leaders at Zion’s Forwarding Church, young Mwembe would request to sing in front of people at church.
Her parents were encouraged by her primary school teacher who she performed to one morning when they were in Grade One and from then, she became part of the school and church choir throughout her childhood years until she moved to Bulawayo for tertiary education.
“I love singing about the presence of the Lord, it hasn’t been an easy journey, but I kept pushing. From my very first failed album, I never gave up,” she said. The Bulawayo-based star first recorded her Makabongwe album in 2001 in Harare and it didn’t do well, she then recorded Tataleza in 2005 before the hit album Basking in his Glory.
Just like any other female musician, the young gospel star has also had her fair share of challenges while trying to stand out in the spotlight, she highlighted issues like lack of support and financial strains of working on independent projects.
“Piracy and lack of support, especially financially, have been significant hurdles,” she said. Drawing inspiration from artistes like Dunsin Oyakin, Nathaniel Bassi and Benjamin Debe, Mwembe’s music focuses on her faith and inspires listeners to seek a deeper connection with God.