Kenya
gets the first gospel discotheque-Mamba
Related News
SHARE THIS STORY
Updated 2 hrs 51 mins ago
 |
|
Mamba
disco in Mombasa. (Photo:Kevin Odit/Standard)
|
By Philip Mwakio
Discotheques are associated with sin,
promiscuity and a carefree life but a new establishment in Mombasa is giving a
new twist to nightlife.
Christian faithful now have a chance to shake a
leg to gospel music all night long in a disco club that plays only gospel music.
Kenya Kenya gets the first gospel
discotheque-Mamba
Kenya
gets the first gospel discotheque-Mamba
Related News
SHARE THIS STORY
Updated 2 hrs 51 mins ago
 |
|
Mamba
disco in Mombasa. (Photo:Kevin Odit/Standard)
|
By Philip Mwakio
Discotheques are associated with sin,
promiscuity and a carefree life but a new establishment in Mombasa is giving a
new twist to nightlife.
Christian faithful now have a chance to shake a
leg to gospel music all night long in a disco club that plays only gospel
music.
This is after Mamba International Discotheque in
the coastal city of Mombasa was converted into a gospel centre.
Mamba International Discotheque was a popular
location in Mombasa’s nightlife before the club closed down a few years ago.
It has played host to among others celebrated
world musicians like king of dancehall reggae music Sean Paul as well as
Lingala Music maestros Koffi Olomide, Kanda Bongoman, General Defao and Fally
Ipupa.
With these stars parading at the venue, its
popularity increased, leading to its standing as an entertainment centre of
choice in the mid-1990s.
Mamba Disco later faced stiff competition from
relatively new establishments that had cropped up in and around Mombasa city
and it was forced to close down.
John William Kameta, 47, a Mombasa businessman
and sports promoter came up with the idea of sprucing up the place and turning
it into what is now Kenya’s first and largest ultra modern Gospel Discotheque.
“I have always embraced music and was already
strumming the guitar at age 12,” Mr Kameta said.
He says both the old and young at heart now have
an opportunity to patronise Mamba disco without worrying about losing their
spiritual connection with the creator.
The new venture is beginning to gain popularity
and is already attracting quite a sizeable crowd of gospel lovers.
Televangelist Bishop Wilfred Lai of the Redeemed
Gospel Church dedicated the premises to God during its launch in March.
Unlike in the past when the place would be full
of alcohol and skimpily dressed patrons, the club, located along the Nyali
Links Road opposite the Nyali Golf Course, resembles a true place of worship.
The larger-than-life dancing floor still
occupies the centre of the amphitheater where great dancing styles were the
order of the day in its heyday.
“Gospel Music is a special form of worship. It
struck me one day when I was on a social outing with my beloved wife that the
DJ played a gospel song that pulled crowds onto the floor,’’ Mr Kameta said.
He says their doors are open to people from all faiths who want to
patronise the joint to sample what they have to offer.
Mamba Disco had been lying idle for a while and Mr Kameta
approached its owners who readily agreed to lease it out.
It is open on Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday late afternoons.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment