NEWLY-appointed Sport, Arts and Recreation minister Kirsty Coventry will on Friday night make her maiden public appearance as Minister at the two-day Call To Worship gospel music festival that will feature top local and international gospel musicians at the Harare International Conference Centre.

Also to grace the 10th edition of the annual inter-denominational praise and worship extravaganza is philanthropist Tsitsi Masiyiwa, wife of Econet Wireless founder Strive Masiyiwa.

In a statement, event organisers said the potentially explosive festival will feature prominent and award-winning gospel artistes Mkululi Bhebhe, Janet Manyowa, Dudu Manhenga, Pastor G, Tembalami, Prince Mafukidze and Pastor Josh, among others.

“This year the organisers of the Call To Worship gospel music festival have added an interesting youth mentorship flavour to the event at which the likes of prominent philanthropist Tsitsi Masiyiwa, and banker and entrepreneur Nigel Chanakira, along with Honourable Kirsty Coventry, will be addressing young people at the event,” the statement read.

The organisers said they were expecting thousands of worshippers at the event — which is free — and has in the past drawn as many as 15 000 worshippers.

The event, launched 10 years ago as the brainchild of Pastors Charlotte and Philip Pike, has enjoyed the support of a wide cross-section of churches and religious leaders in Zimbabwe.

Newsday