Shekinah Gospel Awards Set to Celebrate Zimbabwe’s Gospel Music Excellence

Gospel music producer MacDonald “Macdee” Chidavayenzi

HARARE – Zimbabwe’s gospel music industry could soon gain a long-awaited platform for recognition after veteran producer MacDonald Chidavayenzi unveiled plans for the Shekinah Gospel Awards, a new initiative aimed at celebrating excellence across the country’s faith-based creative sector.

Chidavayenzi, widely known in the industry as Macdee, said the awards will officially launch in Harare on March 30, marking the start of a nationwide mobilisation drive ahead of the inaugural ceremony later this year. Organisers say the exact date for the first awards ceremony will be announced in due course. For the veteran producer, the project represents more than another music awards show. He says it is a response to a prolonged absence of structured recognition for Zimbabwe’s gospel artists and creatives.

“We are going to over ten years now without any specific awards ceremony set up for them,” Macdee said in an interview.

Zimbabwe’s gospel music sector has produced numerous influential artists and songs over the years, yet industry players say formal platforms celebrating the genre have been limited. Macdee said the absence of recognition had begun to take a toll on the creative community.

“To be honest with you, I felt a burden in my heart because it felt like we were slowly getting to a point of creative fatigue of gospel musicians who have been working tirelessly,” he said.

The Shekinah Gospel Awards aim to recognise excellence across a broad range of disciplines within the gospel ecosystem. Categories are expected to cover music, dance, visual arts, promotions, and honorary awards, reflecting the diverse network of creatives who contribute to faith-driven entertainment.

Macdee said one of the guiding principles behind the awards will be maintaining high standards in both organisation and recognition.

“One thing I can tell you about the Shekinah Gospel Awards is that we are focusing more on excellence,” he said. “We believe that our artists are world-class artists, and as such, we have to honour them in a world-class standard.”

Drawing on more than two decades of experience in the music industry, including time serving as an adjudicator under the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, Macdee said the judging process would be credible and transparent.

“The process will be very simple but very solid and airtight,” he said.

Early reactions from gospel artists and creatives suggest strong support for the initiative.

According to Macdee, many musicians have already expressed excitement about the awards and their potential impact on the sector.

“Our artists are excited as well. I’ve been getting feedback from artists showing their support and showing that this is going to be an interesting journey for us,” he said.

If successful, the Shekinah Gospel Awards could mark a significant milestone for Zimbabwe’s gospel music industry, providing a flagship platform to celebrate talent and inspire the next generation of faith-based creatives.

For Macdee, the goal is simple: to restore honour and visibility to a community that has played a major role in shaping Zimbabwe’s musical landscape.

“I believe that this is a perfect journey for us all,” he said. “And it shall lead to the beginning of greater things to come.”

Shekinah Gospel Awards Zimbabwe