Night of Praise: Charambas and Cherayis lead Odyssey Gospel Concert in Zimbabwe
The Mt Kenya Times 
Baba naAmai Charamba
By Azriel Chimeno
Kadoma came alive last Saturday as thousands gathered for the Odyssey Gospel Concert, a night led by some of the country’s most loved Zimbabwean artists. Zimbabwe’s two most talked-about gospel couples shared one stage: Baba na Amai Charamba with their decades of anointed ministry, and Ellard and Sharon Cherayi with their signature harmonies and fresh sound.
What started as a concert quickly turned into a citywide worship experience. From the opening praise to the final benediction, it felt less like a show and more like church. By the end of the evening, one phrase kept echoing through the crowd and on social media: it was a night to remember.
Zimbabwe has been blessed with gospel duos who minister as one, and Odyssey proved why that model resonates so deeply. In a time when families are looking for hope and encouragement, seeing husbands and wives lead worship together carried weight. Kadoma, a city that doesn’t always get the big gospel bills, showed up in full force and reminded promoters that praise has no zip code.
Baba naAmai Charamba have been pillars of Zimbabwean gospel for decades. Their ministry started in church and grew into crusades, albums, and national moments of worship. They are known for songs that turn testimonies into theology, and for leading congregations until every voice is lifted.
Ellard and Sharon Cherayi represent the new generation carrying the same mantle. Their blend of contemporary sound and deep scriptural lyrics has made them favorites in both youth gatherings and Sunday services. On stage they model something rare: marriage and ministry walking in step.
While other couples like Baba naAmai Patai have also made a mark in church ministry across the country with music about marriage and faith, it was the Charambas and Cherayis who took the stage in Kadoma for Odyssey. Having two generations of gospel couples on one bill made the night feel historic.
The venue filled early. Families came with children, choirs came with banners, and ushers were still seating people when praise and worship started. Kadoma showed up dressed for celebration: gospel t-shirts, flags, and a lot of dancing feet.
Local choirs CCAP Rimuka Exodus, Delighted Voices Choir, Tabernacle Grace Choir and worship teams opened the night and set the temperature high. The Unveiled also performed much to the delight of the gospel fans. By the time the headliners were announced, the air was thick with expectation. The lighting was simple but effective, and the sound team kept the focus where it belonged: on the voices and the message.
Between sets, pastors took moments to pray for marriages and for the city. That pastoral thread is what separated Odyssey from a typical concert. People weren’t just clapping, they were responding.
Baba naAmai Charamba led with authority. Their set moved from deep worship into praise that had the whole auditorium on its feet. They spoke briefly between songs about God’s faithfulness in marriage and ministry, and you could hear amens rolling through the crowd. Their strength has always been congregational leading, and Kadoma sang back every word.
Ellard and Sharon Cherayi brought a deeply personal moment to the night. Ellard opened their set by acknowledging Kadoma as his childhood town, and the crowd erupted.
“Kadoma, thank you for welcoming me back home again. This place raised me, and to stand here ministering with my wife is a full circle moment for us. God has been so good.”
He went on to describe the evening itself “Tonight was not about performance. Tonight was about presence. You welcomed us with open hearts, you sang every word, and we felt the Lord move in this place. This was beautiful.”
Their vocal blend was tight, and their stage presence was warm. Between songs they shared short testimonies about walking through seasons together, then ministered songs that balance celebration with reflection. Couples in the audience leaned in during those moments. It was clear why they have become a household name so quickly.
Together, the two couples created a beautiful contrast: experience meeting freshness, tradition meeting contemporary. Yet the message was the same — God is faithful.
Odyssey Gospel Concert set out to do two things: bring top-tier gospel outside Harare, and spotlight the power of family in ministry. Both happened.
For Kadoma, it was validation. The turnout showed there is a hungry audience for quality gospel events in the Midlands. For the church, it was encouragement. Seeing two couples model unity on stage gave people something to take home to their own marriages.
Ellard’s homecoming added another layer. His gratitude connected with many in the crowd who remembered him growing up in the city. “We don’t take this welcome lightly. Kadoma, you made us feel at home. Thank you for supporting gospel music and for supporting families.”
Online, the buzz was immediate. Attendees posted clips with captions like “night to remember” and “God showed up in Kadoma.” That matters because gospel music in Zimbabwe travels as much through WhatsApp and Facebook as it does through radio.
Most importantly, the concert pointed back to the church. Both couples started in local congregations, and they kept pointing people back there. That is why the night landed with such weight.
When the lights dimmed and the last note faded, Kadoma did not leave empty. People left with songs on their lips, prayers on their hearts, and hope for their families.
Baba naAmai Charamba and Ellard and Sharon Cherayi did not just deliver a concert. They pastored through music. They reminded a city that God still uses families to reach families, and that worship is stronger when it is shared.
If Odyssey is the standard going forward, then Zimbabwe’s gospel future is bright. Kadoma got the first taste last Saturday. Now the question across the country will be simple: where to next?
The night proved one thing clearly. When praise meets family, it is unforgettable.
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