I’ve forgiven my wife: Mhere

By Vasco Chaya and Best Masinire

HARARE – Gospel musician Mathias Mhere claims 10 000 copies of his latest album Glory To Glory have been sold but spiritedly denies the good sales are down to the alleged adultery between his wife and his friend Gift Mahlupeka.

For over a month the jury has been out on Mhere ever since the alleged adultery between the gospel musician’s wife Susan Dzinamarira and the Favour singer’s friend Gift Mahlupeka was leaked to the media. Many Zimbabweans are still convinced that the adultery saga was masterminded by Mhere himself to boost the sales of Glory To Glory.

The rising gospel singer has, however, laughed off the allegations that he deliberately created controversy so as to earn the sympathy of members of the public.

“Since I joined the gospel music scene, my career has been boosted by God not by unorthodox means,” Mhere told the Daily News on Sunday.

“I have been pleasantly surprised by the positive response the album Glory To Glory is getting on the market despite the bad publicity I got during the time the project was launched.”

The Gutu-born gospel artiste said accusations being levelled against him were “pure mischief.”

“Some reports claim that I have stage-managed the adultery saga involving my wife and my friend Gift but honestly how can I disrespect my family like that?”, asked the gospel singer.

“How can I promote my album while dragging my wife into the mud?”

Mhere added that the adultery storm had not distracted him from his mission of spreading the word of God, adding that he has since forgiven his wife.

“I no longer want to discuss my family matters in the press but I can confirm that the issue was resolved amicably. I am back on good terms with my wife.”

While the Saints of God leader was reluctant to shed more light on the adultery issue, he happily spoke about his first album since he cut ties with celebrated music producer Lyton Ngolomi.

Glory To Glory was produced by Charles Aibeki, a former guitarist in Charles Charamba’s Fishers of Men.

“From day one I was very confident the new album was going to be the talk of the nation but, frankly, I never thought the song Ephiziba was going to be the favourite of many,” he said

“As a man of faith I knew the album was going to make an impact on the local music industry, but that Ephiziba was going to be a darling of many; honestly I did not know.”

Mhere featured a member of the Zimpraise choir Sharon Manyonganise on the popular track.

Sharon is grateful to Mhere for giving her the opportunity to feature on Ephiziba.

“People know me as an ad- libs person, but on Ephiziba I deliberately restricted my vocal skills because I did not want people to concentrate on my voice but the message,” she told the Daily News on Sunday.

“Working with Mhere was very exciting and the fact that we were both trying new things made the song a success.”

The Gutu-born Mhere, who burst onto the local music scene in 2007 with the album Tinoda Nyasha, shot to fame courtesy of his second album Anoita Minana which was recorded and produced at Lyton Studios by Lyton Ngolomi. The song Favour made Mhere the new darling of Zimbabwean gospel music fans.

The Favour hitmaker solidified his status as a serious gospel musician by releasing the blockbuster Nguva Yenyasha which carries songs such as Ziya Rangu, Idya Tafura, Zino Irema, Number Busy, Mhandu Yedu, Peter Peter, Pamazuva Angu and Mutsvene Mutsvene. Daily News