Celebrities and the New Year . . .

Veronica Gwaze

AS we bid farewell to 2020, celebrities and religious leaders took time to reflect on what many people described as a very tough year.

However, despite the challenges that were occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic, most celebrities are optimistic that 2021 will bring with it good tidings.

Despite the fact that musicians lost their incomes following the ban on live shows, the coronavirus-induced lockdown was, to an extent, a blessing in disguise. King 98 (born Ngonidzashe Dondo) is optimistic that 2021 will open doors for him.

“This year was a difficult year for many people. However, the year opened some doors for me. I have a feeling that this coming year more doors will be opened for artistes,” he said.

The 22-year-old rapper has done collaborations with international stars such as Diamond Platnumz, Davido and Nasty C, among others.

“This has been a brilliant year for me, which came with a lot of international opportunities that saw me collaborate with some of the continent’s big names.”

Apart from the collaborations, the youthful musician has also worked with Nigeria’s top producer, London (Michael Ovie Hunter), on an album that is set to be released next year. Dancehall artiste Poptain (born Ameen Abduljaleel Matanga) said 2021 will be hectic.

“This coming year will be action-filled. This follows the success of our song Fadza Mutengi. The song came as a game-changer and now many people wish to work with me.” Veteran author Aaron Chiundura Moyo is also looking forward to the New Year.

The playwright recently released a book titled “Chabvondoka”. The book, according to Chiundura Moyo, is a reflection of the land reform exercise.

“I had to tell the story in a play format depicting how our land was invaded, so one of the characters is a chief who befriends the whites unaware of their foul motives,” he said.

The author said he has lined up a number of projects. David‘Diva’Ngwerume — a decorated sculptor and lawyer who was recently selected to represent Zimbabwe at an international exhibition — is hopeful that the New Year will bring with it both fame and fortune.

“Lockdown grounded almost all activities as movement and gatherings were barred, so we needed to think outside the box,” he said. “I took advantage of the ample time we had to focus on sharpening my artistic skills and now I have art pieces that I am working on. The work will be ready next year.”

Ngwerume said he has already set goals for 2021.

“This year my target was getting 52 pieces done before year-end. Next year I am setting a higher target and most of my pieces will be focused much on Zimbabwean history,” he said.

Churches have already set their targets and themes for 2021. The Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe ( EFZ)’ s theme for the coming year will be titled: “Rediscovering our Voice, Identity and Refocusing on Mission”.

EFZ secretary-general pastor Blessing Makwara said all is set for the New Year.

“Notwithstanding regulations around Covid-19, full programmes will be shared in due course, but key are the Great Commission Conferences and Seminars, which will be held early next year,”pastor Makwara said.

The Roman Catholic Church’s theme for 2021 is titled “I am a missionary disciple in my small Christian community”. The church, will, however, not be conducting the usual all-night vigils. Instead, individual families will do so in their homes.

Grace Harvest Ministries International

founder Tawanda Bondera feels the church’s year 2020 theme “Year of great divine encounters” was fulfilled as Covid19 took centre stage. Many have survived the pandemic.

“2020 has been a tough year. We lost many lives compared to other years and as we get into 2021, we simply need to dominate all these things,” he said.

“It is sad that this time we will not have the usual all-night services where we usually declare our new year resolutions, but we will have the usual 10 days fasting from January 2,” said Bondera.

Traditionalists are pursuing a different path. The Zimbabwe National Practitioners Association ( ZINPA) vice president Cuthbert Nyaruvenda said the association will be working together with its mother body, the Traditional Medical Practitioners Council ( TMPC), to tutor communities on traditional medicine.