Earlier this year, a video of a pastor of an African traditional church chasing a congregant around the church with a knife went viral on social media. The unfortunate incident prompted well-known pastor of the United African Apostolic Church (UAAC) Ndivhuwo Munzhedzi to pray for God's peace and protection. His prayers, however, were uniquely compiled and recorded in his 13th traditional gospel album titled Ri fhe mulalo (Give us peace), which was released earlier last month.
Pastor Munzhedzi, who hails from Tshamutilikwa village outside Thohoyandou, has been nominated for the Tshivenda Traditional Music Awards twice. He said that, although his previous album, Hu divha Mudzimu, released in December 2020, was still doing extremely well, he felt inclined to raise awareness on the safety of congregants in churches.
"That knife incident is a shame in the house of God, and it is us, the Christians, who must make sure that it never happens again. The church should be a place where people feel safe, but it is disappointing to see people wielding weapons in the house of God instead of listening to his glorious Word. I believe that the message will be spread quickly this way, as thousands of fans out there enjoy my music," he said.
The celebrated musician, who features the Tshamutilikwa UAAC Choir on all his albums, is happy that Ri fhe mulalo has already been so well received in the gospel music fraternity. "My phone has not stopped ringing since the album's release. It is also receiving fair airplay on both regional and national radio stations."
The 10-track album contains beautiful renditions, such as Thabelo ya Murena, Tombo langa, Lazaro vuwa, and Dakalo ngei phanda.