
Janet Manyowa in historic Jacaranda performance Photo credit Lincoln Mandengu
By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Popular talk show hostess — Mai Chisamba — says she first fell in love with the voice before she actually met the singer — Janet Manyowa.
Mai Chisamba who was the guest at Janet’s album launch over the weekend at spoke glowingly about the Zadzisa singer.
“Ndatanga kuda izwi raJanet ndisati ndamuziya, Janet anoimba chirungu chechirungu kwete Shongrish uye kana akuimba ne shona anoimba shona chaiyo,” she said to wild applause from the audience.
“Music yaJanet inoenderama nechimiro chake uye music yake inokomborera.”
The fifth studio album — Father’s House — was launched before a packed 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale where among the guests were musicians Wenyasha, jazz sensation Dudu Manhenga, Minister Mahendere, Pastor Prince Mafukidze and Jah Prayzah.
Her fans wanted a show and Janet simply delivered!
From start to finish the audiences were serenaded in worship in true Janet’s style.
Her first performance featured the former Gweru-based outfit — Joyful Praise Choir — making use of the big stage.
Then the show peaked up when Pastor Prince also known as Mwana Wamambo in some circles, who performed two of his classic hits Chitsike and It’s My Season that delighted the audience.
It was such a moving show as Pastor Prince from the second generation of gospel musicians endorsing Janet.
Pastor Prince said he was happy that he passed on the baton to the third generation of musicians which now includes the likes of Janet who are now breaking contours taking the worship sound to another level.
So special was the performance because Janet sang right before her loved ones including her parents.
“I feel blessed and honoured to have been joined by my dear parents, our guest of honour Mai Rebecca Chisamba and various other ministers of the gospel to speak a blessing upon Father’s House tonight.
“It was such a delight to be joined on stage by the sensational Dudu Manhenga, Pastor Prince, Joyful Praise and Albert Nyathi,” she said.