Firm Faith, Zimbabwe's acapella pioneers face fina...

Firm Faith, Zimbabwe's acapella pioneers face financial headwinds

Philemon Jambaya

Zim Now Editor

Acapella gospel music, once a marginalized genre in Zimbabwe, is experiencing a resurgence. Groups like Firm Faith have been instrumental in elevating the genre, but the path to success has been fraught with challenges.

Marshal Matsilele, the music director of Firm Faith, painted a picture of an industry where passion meets financial hurdles. Despite growing recognition and a dedicated fanbase, the group has struggled to sustain itself.

“Our journey has been difficult. We started as students, self sponsoring,” Matsilele shared. “Most of the group members were not working but were expected to attend rehearsals and commitments on top of that fans were also expecting record songs and videos.”

The group’s trajectory mirrors the broader challenges faced by acapella groups in Zimbabwe. While the genre is gaining traction, financial constraints continue to be a major impediment.

“We need a public address system, our own recording studios, a commuter omnibus. In addition, we are currently preparing for the launch of our ninth album this year. All these things require money. Hence, we are pleading for well wishers, business community, and the corporate world to partner us,” Matsilele added.

Firm Faith’s resilience is evident in their continued dedication to their craft. Despite facing challenges such as member turnover and financial constraints, the group remains committed to producing quality music.

"We now want to be aggressive with our music in terms of packaging and production," Matsilele declared.