Rev Chivaviro wins Radio Zim Top 50

Reverend Togarepi Chivaviro’s song Matishamisa Jireh made history by scooping the highest number of votes ever recorded in the history of the Radio Zimbabwe Coca Cola Top 50 competition.

It was also a milestone for the biggest radio station in Zimbabwe as it recorded over 5 million votes; the highest figure ever recorded in the competition since its inception.

It was yet another fruitful year for Reverend Chivaviro who has once again conquered the local music industry by winning the biggest radio music competition on the local scene, with 432 321 votes.

In winning the competition, the Ebenezer hitmaker pocketed $2500.

Coming second was a surprise package in the form of Admire Nago with his song Wandigadza.

The Zvishavane-based Nago received 388 579 votes, again a record.

Nago will receive $2000 for his exploits.

Another record was broken by Gweru-based female gospel musician Mai Patai who became the first woman to storm into the top three of the Radio Zimbabwe Coca Cola Top 50.

Mai Patai’s song Anokomborera received a massive 387 579 votes and won herself $1500.

It was a good year for the trio as they all had two songs each in the top 10.

Mai Patai’s Ndinodavira was on number 9 with 349 274 votes while Nago’s Hossana was on number 7 with 352 798 votes.

But the competition arguably belonged to the Reverend who hails from Gokwe, Toggy Chivaviro, whose other song Handei Tinovaka was on number 4 with 386 433.

For his two songs, Reverend Chivaviro amassed a record breaking 818 754 votes for his two songs.

It was a clean sweep for gospel artists in the top 5 as Mharidzo Hetisani’s song Born Again finished fifth with 365 838.

For the fans the competition was fair despite some of their favourites failing to take honours.

Radio Zimbabwe Producer Presenter for the coca Cola Top 50 Patricia Jacob explained that to win, one had to dominate for the year not just a few days.

Killer T scooped the Best Zimdance Hall Artist with his song Hondo which was on number 6.

Alick Macheso also emerged the Best Sungura Artist with his song Ndakakutadzirei on number 8 while Oliver Mtukudzi’s Wanzwa Sorry was on number 10.

Tuku got himself the Veteran Musician Honorary Award.

Jeys Marabini got the Best Jazz Song while rising star Obert Chari whose hit Mebo dominated the charts later during the year scooped the Best Upcoming Artist award.

A favourite of many, Mebo received 37 829 votes, but only managed position 24.

All together, there were 5 129 711 votes for the Radio Zimbabwe Top 50, an improvement from nearly 3 million recorded in 2017.

In 2016, the votes were around 1 million.

On the television side, Enzo Ishal’s video Kanjiva lived to its billing and scooped the ultimate prize with 17 115 votes followed by Jah Prayzah’s Dzamutsana with 17 003 votes. Baba Harare capped a remarkable year with his video The Reason Why settling for number three with 15 925 votes.