By Aldridge Dzvene
Zimbabwe’s flagship gospel gathering, the July Worship Music Festival, is set to return with renewed energy this month after founder and award-winning gospel minister Michael Mahendere unveiled an expanded line-up that promises to redefine the country’s worship experience.
Speaking during a press conference in Harare, Mahendere said the festival has grown beyond being an annual music event into a national platform that unites believers through worship while celebrating the growth of Zimbabwe’s gospel music industry.
Running under the theme “The Highest Praise,” this year’s festival will be held on 11 July at Glamis Arena, where thousands of worshippers are expected to gather for what organisers describe as an immersive worship experience featuring music, ministry and fellowship.
The 2026 edition boasts one of the most diverse line-ups in the festival’s history. Sharing the stage with Michael Mahendere will be Pastor Charles and Olivia Charamba, Eleana Makombe, The Cherayis, Sir Benjamin Rupapa, Tinashe Muponda, Gemma Griffiths, Samantha Simangaliso, The Unveiled, Evidence Gundani, Misheck Mahendere and gospel Dendera sensation Saiwe Chimbetu. In a first for the festival, organisers have also introduced a Christian hip-hop segment featuring Whistle Inspires, Swazy, Yeomie Kay and Jason Gwanzura, broadening the event’s appeal to younger audiences while maintaining its worship-centred identity.
Mahendere reflected on the festival’s remarkable journey since its launch in 2018, saying what began as a modest worship gathering has evolved into one of Zimbabwe’s largest gospel events. Each edition has attracted growing numbers of worshippers, prompting organisers to move to larger venues and continually improve the production value.
He stressed that despite the festival’s growth, its primary mission remains unchanged—to create an atmosphere where people can encounter God through authentic worship.
Beyond the music, the festival has become an important contributor to Zimbabwe’s creative economy. It creates opportunities for gospel musicians, sound engineers, event organisers, vendors and other players within the creative and hospitality sectors, while attracting visitors from different parts of the country and the region.
Organisers said this year’s production will feature enhanced staging, lighting and sound, offering an arena-scale worship experience designed to match international standards while showcasing local excellence.
As the countdown to the event gathers momentum, expectations continue to rise for a festival that has become a defining fixture on Zimbabwe’s gospel calendar. With an expanded programme, fresh musical collaborations and a blend of established and emerging gospel ministers, the July Worship Music Festival is positioning itself not merely as a concert, but as a celebration of faith, worship and the continued growth of Zimbabwe’s gospel music ministry.
