BY FREEMAN MAKOPA
UNITED KINGDOM-BASED Zimbabwean gospel musician Nursel Mandiopera has said she would be launching her forthcoming album The Good News next month despite COVID-19 regulations, which had thrown spanners in her works.
She said she would go on to promote it through live shows.
The songstress, who draws inspiration from the likes of gospel legend Shingisai Suluma, told NewsDay Life & Style that the six-track album’s message was centred on Jesus’ identity.
“My forthcoming second album centres on who Jesus is, what He did and why. It is an evangelical project aimed at bringing people to Christ and letting them know they are loved. I feel this is my opportunity to have something timeless on the great commission, winning souls for Christ,” she said.
“The pandemic is making things a little difficult in terms of planning for shows and tours among other things, but I am focusing on the launch of my album and doing everything required to ensure that the album fulfils its purpose. As things change with regards to the pandemic, we will be announcing new plans.”
Mandiopera launched her career in 2015 when she released singles Like Heaven and Who is There Like You before she decided to do group projects with other talented gospel musicians in 2016 and 2017.
She then released her debut album in 2018 which was well received, carrying tracks such as Mira Ipapo, Worry Not and You Are My God, making waves in the local showbiz industry.
Mandiopera went on to release an extended play called Living in Victory in 2020, with the Afro-beat track Makomborero getting rave reviews.
She said she always wanted to be a musician, adding that she grew up listening to multi-award-winning South African gospel singer Rebecca Malope and gospel group Ivangeli Loxolo.
The gospel musician said technology had played a key role in the growth of the music industry.
“The industry has grown extensively in all four corners of the world and the exposure that social media and this technology era have given to artistes’ shows just how big the industry and ministry have become,” he said.
“I am really excited by this prospect because as gospel artistes, we don’t do this for ourselves, this is somebody’s field and we are just labourers. I am excited that many others have joined because the harvest is humongous and my only regret is that I didn’t start sooner.”
- Follow Freeman on Twitter @freemanmakopa
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