Heroine Laiza Tayali – Why She Must Be Remembered
“Ibizo leli lingakhohlakali kalaziwe ngozajabula ngokuzuza into enhle ngaMandla alapha eGuta Ra Mwari.”
Guta Ra Mwari presents
Heroine Laiza Tayali Choral Competition
A Celebration of Faith. Voice. Legacy.
- DateSaturday, 2 October 2027
- VenueGuta Ra Mwari HQ, Bulawayo
- Time11:00 – 15:30 CAT
Happening now
Thank you for joining us.
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All Are Welcome
At a glance
- Date
- Saturday, 2 October 2027
- Time
- 11:00 – 15:30 CAT
- Venue
- Guta Ra Mwari HQ, Tshabalala, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Organiser
- Guta Ra Mwari
Guta Ra Mwari
About the competition
Top-tier choral ensembles from Guta Ra Mwari Sub-HQs bring their finest voices to the city, adjudicated by a distinguished panel of judges drawn from across Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe. This competition has grown into a significant choral music event honouring the legacy of Heroine Laiza Tayali, who played a pivotal role in Guta Ra Mwari.
Past editions
Each streamed live from Guta Ra Mwari HQ in Tshabalala, Bulawayo.
- 20254 October 2025Watch the livestream (opens in a new tab)
- 20245 October 2024Watch the livestream (opens in a new tab)
- 20237 October 2023Watch the livestream (opens in a new tab)
A Life of Courage, Dedication & Love
Who was Heroine Laiza Tayali
Heroine Laiza Tayali was born on 25 June 1925 in Gurure, Nyazura, Zimbabwe, to Vincent Paul Saika and Lucina Saika. She was raised in a loving and God-fearing family that instilled in her strong values of kindness, discipline and service to others.
She received her primary education at Lower Gweru Mission. She cared for others and worked at Kadoma Hospital, where in 1945 she met her future husband.
Through deep trials, including being poisoned and losing a child, she remained faithful to God. She departed on 9 February 1975. Her final resting place is on the sacred mountain of Gurure in Nyazura.
2025 marked 100 years since her birth and 50 years since her departure.
- Faithful
- Kind
- Dedicated
- Compassionate
- Inspiring
Her life
- 25 June 1925Born in Gurure, Nyazura, Zimbabwe
- Early yearsPrimary education at Lower Gweru Mission
- 1945Met her future husband at Kadoma Hospital, where she worked
- 9 February 1975Departed
- Resting placeThe sacred mountain of Gurure, Nyazura
- 2025100 years since her birth and 50 years since her departure
“Ngamandla kaNkulunkulu”
(It is the power of God)
Remembered. Honoured. Celebrated.Your life was a blessing. Your memory is a treasure.
Read more
The Power Found in Prayer: Lessons from Laiza Tayali's Faith
“Prayer is not weakness, it is strength.”
A Prayer for the Women: Remembering Heroine Laiza Tayali
“Let us pray. Let us sing. Let us remember.”
2026
This year's dedication
“Let us pray. Let us sing. Let us remember.”
“May our voices rise not merely in competition, but in remembrance.”
Participating choirs
Bulawayo HQ
- Conductor
- Thamsanqa Mbambo
Winners in 2023, 2024 and 2025
South Africa
- Conductor
- Devotion Mukundwa
Harare
- Conductor
- Farikeni T Karumazondo
Victoria Falls
- Conductor
- Silethemba A Sibanda
Botswana
- Conductor
- Kealeboga C Bafisi
The same choirs took part in 2025: Bulawayo HQ, South Africa, Harare, Victoria Falls and Botswana. Watch 2025 performances
How the competition works
- Categories
- Set Piece, Own Choice
- Dress code
- The Set Piece is sung in Holy Armour. Choirs may then change outfits for the Own Choice.
- Order of performance
- By ballot, conducted on the day.
Adjudicators
Adjudicators are drawn from Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe, with a wide range of expertise.
Categories and awards
- Set Piece Winner
- Set Piece Runner-up
- Own Choice Winner
- Own Choice Runner-up
- Well Dressed Choir
- Mabutho's Choice
- Non-competing Entertainment
- Overall Winner
- Outstanding Choir Conductor
Saturday, 3 October 2026
Programme
| Time | Item | Led by |
|---|---|---|
| 08:00 | Saturday Morning Healing Service | |
| 09:00 – 10:30 | Breakfast | |
| 11:00 | Choral Competition | |
| Opening Hymn | ||
| Opening Prayer | ||
| Introduction of Adjudicators | Elder E. Ndlovu | |
| Balloting for Performance Order | Programme Director, All Choirs | |
| Ground Rules | Programme Directors | |
| Welcome Note | Chairman International: Evangelist K. Ndlovu | |
| Singabazalwane Rendition | Choristers | |
| Heroine Laiza Tayali Heritage Lecture | Secretary General: Evangelist U.M. Tshuma | |
| Entertainment | 2 items | |
| Main Piece Presentations | All Choirs | |
| Entertainment | 2 items | |
| Own Choice Presentations | All Choirs | |
| Entertainment | 2 items | |
| Announcement of Results and Prize Presentations | Adjudicators, Programme Director/s, Holy Messenger and Elder on Duty | |
| Combined Choir Presentation | Overall Winner and Winning Conductor | |
| Vote of Thanks | Evangelist E.D. Nkatha | |
| Announcements | Evangelist U.M. Tshuma | |
| Hymn 4 | ||
| Benediction | ||
| 16:00 | Linner, closure and departure |
Programme directors: Elder M.E. Ncube, Elder S. Dhlamini, Elder M.R. Ndlovu, Thaluso Moyo, Elder E. Ndlovu
Watch
Live now
2026 replay
2026 trailer
Live from 11:00 CAT on Saturday, 2 October 2027. Open the YouTube channel (opens in a new tab)
Past livestreams
2025 Heroine Laiza Tayali Choral CompetitionLivestream, 4 October 2025 2024 Heroine Laiza Tayali Choral CompetitionLivestream, 5 October 2024 2023 Heroine Laiza Tayali Choral CompetitionLivestream, 7 October 2023
2025 Own Choice performances
Botswana Choir, Own Choice2025 competition Harare Choir, Own Choice2025 competition
Past winners
2026 results
- Winners: Bulawayo HQ
2026
- Winners: Bulawayo HQ
2025
- Winners: Bulawayo HQ
2024
- Winners: Bulawayo HQ
2023
- Winners: Bulawayo HQ
All roads lead to Bulawayo, Tshabalala
Getting there
- Venue
- Guta Ra Mwari HQ, Tshabalala, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Address
- Guta Ra Mwari International Headquarters, Tshabalala, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Parking
- Parking is available within the premises.
Gallery
Bulawayo HQ, 2023 Bulawayo HQ, 2023 Bulawayo HQ, 2024 winners. © Guta Ra Mwari Bulawayo HQ, 2024 winners. © Guta Ra Mwari 
Set Piece Winners trophy Set Piece Winners trophy 
Trophies Trophies 
From a previous competition From a previous competition 
From a previous competition From a previous competition 
From a previous competition From a previous competition
Frequently asked questions
Who can attend?
All are welcome.
Can I watch if I cannot attend?
Yes. The competition is streamed live on the Guta Ra Mwari YouTube channel, @GutaRaMwariHQ.
Can children attend?
All are welcome.
When are results announced?
At the end of the competition, followed by the prize presentations.