BULAWAYO was transformed into a sanctuary of praise and worship on Africa Day as the inaugural Ekhaya Worship Festival 2025 took centre stage at ZITF Hall 3, drawing throngs of gospel lovers from across denominations.
The brainchild of internationally-celebrated gospel musician and multi-award-winning local artiste Everton Mlalazi, the festival is derived from the Ndebele word “Ekhaya” meaning home.
Held under the theme Umtombo wez’busiso (The Fountain of Blessings), the festival brought together generations and cultures to celebrate faith, music and community empowerment.
The festival lived up to its promise of being more than just a spiritual and cultural worship through music as it embraced a holistic vision that extended to health, entrepreneurship and community empowerment.
Free healthcare services were offered to both the elderly and the youth on-site. The free health expo initiative offered free medical check-ups and screenings, consultations with qualified healthcare professionals, health education and wellness information and basic treatment and referrals.
Local businesses exhibited their products, showcasing Bulawayo’s vibrant entrepreneurial spirit.
Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style, Mlalazi, who hails from Bulawayo, said the festival was deeply personal.
“We hosted the Ekhaya Worship Festival here in Bulawayo with the idea being to bring my music back home to Bulawayo, where I originally come from," he said.
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"Secondly, the hosting of the festival is to share the good news of salvation and the blessed hope for the second coming of Christ, that when he eventually does come, we will go to heaven. Ultimately, Ekhaya also points to our eternal home in heaven."
He said the idea of the Ekhaya Worship Festival started in 2022 when “we had the homecoming concert here in Bulawayo”.
The idea was to push this and say it can't just be about music, it certainly is about a lot of other things,” the artiste said.
"This is a holistic programme now covering the issue of health, health reform, health support through helping people, old people as you saw, young people as you saw, all managed to get health support from Arundale Clinic for free. We also had businesses from here in Bulawayo exhibiting as well."
In a ground-breaking move, the festival launched a Pay Forward initiative, a partnership between Mlalazi's son, Nathan and local bank CBZ where 10 aspiring entrepreneurs were each given US$1 000 as startup capital with the expectation that, come next year, each recipient will fund another budding entrepreneur with the same amount.
“Imagine if that happens for five to 10 more years, about 100 startups will begin just from this programme. And I suppose what will happen when this happens we will have, you know, more and more, a bigger crowd or a bigger number as the programme continues," Mlalazi said.
The festival's performance was divided into three segments, namely, the Acapella, Afternoon and Evening, with the line-up of performers being a dynamic mix of both seasoned and emerging talent.
The sterling performances were from gospel stars such as Omega Kunou of Spirit of Praise, South African gospel star Sbu Noah, all-male outfit Reality 7, Mzansi-based Zimbabwean gospel acts Canaan Nyathi, Takesure Zamar and Mkhululi Bhebhe who added flair to the festival.
On the local scene, representation was from Sipho Snowy, Vusa Mangena, Mai Mwamuka, Family Voices and Harvest Music, among others while gospel diva Janet Manyowa, Jonah Chivasa, comedienne Madam Boss and socialite Yahya Goodvibes, among others, were in attendance.
Mlalazi's special performance was divided into three segments, African wardrobe, casual attire and formal wear.
The highlight of his performance was when he was joined on the stage by his daughter Natasha, for their duet as they showcased the father and daughter artistry, much to the delight of fans.
During the family segment, his father, Enock, took a moment to share heartfelt reflections on his son's upbringing.
"My son Everton has always been an obedient student. He has never disobeyed me. Even when I say something he disagrees with, he approaches me with respect, suggesting, ‘Father, what if we consider it this way?' It's as if he embodies the verse about honouring your father and mother in the Lord," Enock said.
"He continues to show that he respects us, even as a married man who can make his own choices. Every morning at 3am, his mother and I bless him and his family in prayer. We invite them to join us in prayer and they pray for us in return. There is a strong bond among us as a family and that’s how we live.”
Mlalazi said with the strong turnout and overwhelming spiritual and communal energy, Ekhaya Worship Festival 2025 had set the bar high for future editions.
“I really thank everyone who came to support us tonight. It was a heartfelt celebration of God, home and hope through a festival where music met mission and worship met impact. This is just the beginning of a festival that I believe will continue to grow, inspire and bless many across generations in divine gathering.”
Through the festival, Mlalazi continues to write his piece of history on the competitive showbiz scene with a bold stance to push his artistry, a move away from the habit of waiting for arts promoters' calls.
