Eenhana — Gospel musician, Harrisen Matengu, who has been making waves with his first gospel album, Taha Utokena, is planning a X-Mass gospel show in Katima Mulilo for his fans.

The Caprivi Region-based singer fuses Silozi, Rungwangli and English in his compositions. Harrisen says he was currently working on a gospel extravaganza of which the date is to be announced soon but it has provisionally been penciled for Christmas at the Seventh Day Adventist church. "It's a theme to me and every song in the album is a hit and umbrella. So everything is today because when Jesus heals, it's today and not yesterday or tomorrow," delight Harrisen in his new album.

Taha Utokena has ten tracks: Get Ready, Balumeni Muswalise, Jesu Uzusa Lazaro, Mulikanaka Ulusiile, Tuyala (Tonga song), Musindi, Nakoye Bahesu, Thank You Lord and the instrumental of the first track. "It's a milestone. It's another step and I believe in practice and I think my vocals are perfect because l have practiced a lot before its release. I am into music and I want to do music for the rest of my life and the international market should watch out for my presence," explains the soft-spoken artist.

Harrisen does not depict or copy his style or music from any other artists. "Namibians can bare witness with me. I am a creator of my own works and if the word copy exists in my vocabulary, then it has to be other people copying from me," he vows. The gospel artist confesses that he gets his inspiration from secular musicians. "I get my inspiration from other musicians. There are other elements that I see in people and I add up my skills. All the big names, we are talking of those established gospel musicians like D' Naffy who have something that I respect. South African gospel artists on the other hand are also good to me," he says.

"We are in the same family and we are all musical. As far as gospel is concerned, I need to package my music in a right way and don't forget that the bands that back us are not gospel but secular," adds Harrisen.

He further explains being also inspired by true events, and from the Bible.

He mixes things from daily lives Biblically. "I understand that I have a big role to play in the society and I sing for everybody, not only those in church but sinners as well."

The album has been produced by well- known producer in Katima Mulilo, Joseph Katoti, and is being marketed by Mr Music Shop and Events Management and other outlets across the country. Harrisen prides himself in releasing another second album titled Kulumbwe Ngunyana, next year.

The 33-year-old gospel artists attended Kaenda Junior Secondary School up to Grade 10. He could not continue with his schooling as the death of his while he was in Grade 10 cut short his schooling. For more information and bookings, Harrisen Matengu can be contacted on +264 81 3720 189.