Thembalami defends Janet Manyowa

Bridget Mabanda

Gospel musician, Thembalami Tagwirei is defending Janet Manyowa after people on social media said Vaudze does not deserve to be the song of the year on Star FM Gospel Greats Top 50.

Controversial socialite Tatelicious, real name Tatenda Zenzo Karigambe, accused Manyowa of bribing Star FM DJs, awards sponsors and claimed Manyowa imitates Shingisai Suluma.

Tatelicious claimed Manyowa’s rich husband bribed Star FM.

Some people on social media were saying they do not even know Manyowa’s song which was on number one.

Mark Machingamidze John; “Just that Money is doing the work these days. I strongly believe that there are very good musicians out there who deserve this.”

Tina Shamba; “Me and the other 99 followers who doesn’t (sic) even know the song tongoti congratulations makorokoto Amhlophe.”

Spoxx Samanyanga; “Kkkkk Gospel music vanongoridza Sunday morning (Recharge), that one shift vozoridza paGospel great (one shift) so hapana nguva yekuridzawo vamwe vaimbi nekuwanda kwavo. It’s unlike other radios eg radio Zim or Nat fm kunoswera kuchiridzwa music 24/7zvekuti inoitwa song of the yr inenge yakarira kazhinji and vanhu vachiiziva. This station ukaivhura kana whole day hauinzwe kurira song anytime of the day ndosaka vazhinji vasingaizive.”

However, Thembalami said people do not understand how Star FM Gospel Greats works and how they determine their number one song of the year.

Speaking to Zimbabwe Now, he said people were saying Manyowa should not have been number one but someone else but no one was mentioning the name of the artist and the song.

“So, these clout chasers are saying Janet Manyowa who has been filing the HICC and Celebration Centre for the past five years can not be number one on a gospel chat show.

“As for me, I was saying if Janet Manyowa can do shows that that fill the HICC and if we go to Bulawayo, she can fill the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair she is clearly one of the biggest artists with no surprises that she comes number one,” he said.

Star FM listeners voted for the Gospel Greats Top50 which was announced on the 25th of December 2022 and Manyowa topped the list with her song Vaudze while worshipper, Tendai Keith Chiodza was at number 50 with his song Kunenge Kupenda.

The song Vaudze was released first week of January 2022 and Manyowa went on to perform it at the National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) at the Harare International Conference Centre, where her act can be described as epic.

Manyowa had three songs in the top 50 and two songs in the top 10.

Meanwhile, Sounds of Zimbabwean and South African gospel music will on New Year echo at Celebration Centre, in Harare for a Night of Thanksgiving, #ANOT2023 concert.

A Night of Thanksgiving is a New Year gospel music spectacular hosted by multi-award-winning gospel diva, Janet Manyowa through her Janet Manyowa Music brand.