By Albert Masaka

The capital city is abuzz as UK-based Zimbabwean gospel diva and minister, Prophet Coco Favour (Collette Manny), prepares to touch down for the highly anticipated life-changing Worship Lounge International Night of Favour. The spiritual gathering is scheduled for Friday, 30 October 2026 at the First Floor, Barclays House, corner of First Street and Jason Moyo Avenue, Harare.

In an exclusive sit-down with Zim Community News, the Ultimate God hitmaker opens up about her expectations for the Harare event, her transition from a praise leader to the prophetic office, and her long-term vision to plant a physical church altar back home in Zimbabwe.

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INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

Q: Welcome, Prophet Coco Favour. For those preparing to attend the upcoming event, who is Prophet Coco Favour?

A: I am Prophet Coco Favour, also known as Collette Manny. I am an award-winning gospel singer, worship leader, songwriter, mother, and servant of God. I lead Worship Lounge International and the non-denominational Altar of Favour. My calling is to be a prophet, and my mandate is to release divine favour upon the nations. Music, prayer, teaching, and prophetic ministry all flow from that assignment.

Q: How did the name Prophet Coco Favour come about?

A: My birth name is Collette. A friend once told me that in America people sometimes shorten Collette to Coco, and the nickname stayed.

Favour has a much deeper meaning. During encounters concerning my prophetic ministry, when the Lord gave me the mandate to release divine favour, I heard Him say, ‘Your name is Favour.’ Other ministers of the Gospel, including those who have spoken prophetically over my life, subsequently confirmed that name. Coco is part of my identity, but Favour is the expression of my mandate.

Q: You are currently based in the United Kingdom. What has life in the diaspora been like, balancing ministry, music, and family?

A: Living in the UK has been a journey of faith, sacrifice, and growth. As a mother of two, professional woman, musician, and minister, I have learned discipline and dependence on the Holy Spirit. The responsibilities can be demanding, but I believe God supplies grace for what He calls us to do. My life in the diaspora has strengthened my resilience and my connection to my spiritual roots.

Q: When did you realise that God was calling you beyond singing into prophetic ministry?

A: I believe the calling was on my life long before I recognised it. I experienced dreams and encounters of ministering at gatherings. Flame B, who mentored me in music, spoke about my prophetic calling. Later my spiritual father, Prophet Mbonisi Michael of Prophet Mbonisi International, confirmed it, mentored me, and ordained me. The ordination recognised what I believe God had already placed within me. It took surrender to embrace the responsibility.

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THE TRANSITION FROM SINGER TO PROPHETESS

Q: How did you navigate the transition from worshipper to prophetess?

A: It required humility, obedience, prayer, and growth in the Word. I remain grateful to Reverend Eve Maloba for giving me my first worship ministry platform in the UK after I had become an award-winning gospel artist. I did not stop being a worshipper when I embraced the prophetic calling. Worship remains central to who I am; the assignment simply expanded.

Q: Did you face resistance or misunderstanding during this transition?

A: Yes. Some who knew me as a singer struggled to accept my prophetic calling, and some suggested I simply loved the pulpit. I have learned not to argue endlessly about calling. Favour announces itself. When God places a genuine gift on a life, the fruit will speak.

This is also part of the message of my forthcoming book, The Underground Anointing: God often prepares people in hidden seasons before revealing their assignments. My responsibility is faithfulness, not manufacturing recognition.

Q: Can your music followers expect new tracks, or have you left the studio for the altar?

A: Absolutely, expect new music! Music is still one of the ways God allows me to reach people. I often say that a fisher of men must understand what to place on the hook; worship music is one of the hooks God has given me.

I have unreleased songs from a live recording and look forward to sharing music from my forthcoming album, Ultimate God. Not only that, but I have not exchanged the microphone for the pulpit.

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THE VISION OF WORSHIP LOUNGE INTERNATIONAL

Q: What inspired Worship Lounge International?

A: In 2019, I believed God showed me a season when people would be unable to gather in church buildings. When the COVID-19 pandemic came, I understood that revelation differently. I felt called to equip families to raise altars of prayer in their homes and worship God in spirit and truth, as John 4:23–24 teaches. Worship Lounge International grew from the conviction that intimacy with God must extend beyond a building.

Q: What is the wider vision for this ministry?

A: Worship Lounge International is envisioned as a spiritual hub of wisdom, biblical knowledge, redemption, restoration, and destiny alignment. We want to see families strengthened, wounded believers restored, and gifts developed.

Our daily non-denominational Altar of Favour prayers at 5 a.m. UK time on YouTube connect people across nations. We are also building towards establishing a physical church in Zimbabwe. Our vision is not merely to fill buildings, but to raise people who carry God’s presence wherever they go.

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NIGHT OF FAVOUR — ZIMBABWE

Q: Why have you targeted Zimbabwe for the “Night of Favour”?

A: I believe God has sent me to Zimbabwe with a specific mandate to release divine favour. My calling is prophetic, but my mandate is favour. Night of Favour is not just an event; it is an opportunity to minister, call people into prayer, and begin laying the foundations for Worship Lounge International’s physical presence in Zimbabwe.

Q: What is the spiritual significance of this upcoming gathering?

A: Foundations matter. Psalm 11:3 asks what the righteous can do if the foundations are destroyed. We will pray for individuals, families, and bloodlines, addressing negative generational patterns through prayer, repentance, and God’s Word. Isaiah 58:12 speaks of repairing breaches and restoring paths. We are raising an altar of favour and laying foundations for generations to come, with Christ as our foundation.

Q: What should attendees expect on Friday, 30 October?

A: People should expect worship, prayer, teaching from the Word, and prophetic ministry as the Holy Spirit leads. We will focus on divine favour, spiritual alignment, families, and the restoration of foundations. The emphasis is not on personalities or hype, but on encountering God and building lives upon Christ.

Q: What lasting impact do you hope for after the final amen?

A: I want people to leave with a commitment to daily prayer, Scripture, and obedience, not merely a memory of one powerful night. We are planning ongoing Worship Lounge International gatherings in Zimbabwe as we build towards a church.

People can also stay connected through our daily 5 a.m. UK time Altar of Favour prayers on YouTube. We are not gathering for a moment; we are laying foundations for generations.

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FAITH, FAVOUR AND THE PROPHETIC MANDATE

Q: What does divine favour mean, and how can believers position themselves for it?

A: Divine favour is God’s grace operating in our lives according to His purposes. It is not something we can manufacture, and it is more than material blessings or opportunities. We cultivate intimacy with God through prayer, Scripture, repentance, and obedience. Let favour speak your name. Let the Underground Anointing announce you.

Q: What would you say to someone feeling forgotten or overlooked?

A: Do not confuse a hidden season with an abandoned destiny. Joseph’s story shows that hardship need not cancel God’s purpose. The Underground Anointing is about what God develops in secret before the appointed time of revelation. Stay faithful, remain prayerful, and let your fruit speak. Favour announces itself.

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THE ROAD AHEAD AND FINAL MESSAGE

Q: What lies ahead for you and Worship Lounge International?

A: We intend to continue the Altar of Favour prayers, hold ongoing gatherings in Zimbabwe, and build towards establishing a physical church there. I also hope to release songs from Ultimate God and complete my book, The Underground Anointing. Whether through music, teaching, prayer, or writing, my desire is to point people towards Jesus Christ.

Q: What is your final call to Zimbabweans at home and abroad regarding the event?

A: God has not forgotten His people. I invite Zimbabweans from different backgrounds and denominations to seek God together at Night of Favour on Friday, 30 October 2026, at First Floor, Barclays House, corner of First Street and Jason Moyo Avenue, Harare.

Come ready to worship, pray for your family, and examine your foundations. I believe God has sent me to release divine favour. Let the Underground Anointing announce you. Let favour speak your name.

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By ALBERT MASAKA

IN  A bold move that is aimed at  seeking justice from Chitungwiza Municipality, thousands of  Nyatsime housing beneficiaries are mulling a class action lawsuit to demand formal allocation of their stands  16 years after paying for them, a situation that will heavily expose the cash-strapped council to bankruptcy.

A representative of the aggrieved persons, Bothwell Mahobele told Dungwiza News recently that the class lawsuit against Chitungwiza was aimed at seeking redress from the council over its failure to deliver residential stands to the beneficiaries who purchased them between 2006 and 2010.

“Despite receiving payment, the municipality has not fulfilled its obligations, leaving over thousands of individual home seekers without their rightful properties for 16 years. The municipality’s inaction and lack of accountability is the one compelling us to seek justice through legal action.”

 “After trying to engage with them in November 2023, we were met with complacency and excuses. There is lack of accountability and urgency with Chitungwiza Municipal Authorities.

He said they were in the process of engaging  a legal team consisting of experienced attorneys that specialise in property law and human rights.

“We anticipate filing the case within the next few weeks, once all necessary documentation which is already in progress is finalised except in the event that Chitungwiza Municipal authorities come forth with a meaningful response.”

He added that  thousands of individuals were affected, with total losses estimated at US$10 million.

“This figure accounts for the initial purchase prices at the prevailing or current price of land and land/stands development service charges from the same Council, interest, and opportunity costs incurred over the 16-year period.

“Our grievances include breach of contract, failure to deliver residential stands, lack of accountability, the municipal authorities’ inaction and complacency and financial losses incurred due to delayed or non-delivery.

“We seek delivery of our residential stands, allocation of stands to beneficiaries and compensation in the form of financial restitution for losses incurred.”

Chitungwiza public relations manager Tafadzwa Kachiko said the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works was  seized with this matter, and once a position was  set, members of the public will be notified.

Responding to questions sent by this publication, the chief director of Spatial Planning and Development in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works Shingirai Mushamba said that government was aware of the complex challenges that exist with the Nyatsime Housing Scheme and that  efforts to resolve the matter have so far not  been successful.

“Further, government appreciates the fact that some stakeholders have  become impatient. It however, urges parties to dialogue and to find a lasting solution.

“The applicants for the land, Chitungwiza Municipality, Manyame Rural District Council  and government, together with other stakeholders will convene soon under the leadership of respective Ministers to find a permanent and win-win solution. All parties are encouraged to give dialogue a chance,” Mushamba said.

In 2005, Chitungwiza sold over 11 000 stands covering Braemer Farm (818 3586ha) and Longlands Farm (215,64ha) and due to overwhelming demand by beneficiaries, the municipality ended up subdiving the stands to create an additional 15 457 stands.

Through Statutory Instrument 211 of 2021, government later set up a six member joint committee, made up of three councillors each from Chitungwiza Municipality and Manyame Rural District Council to manage the six farms located in Ward 9.

The committee, which has powers of an urban authority, managed Braemer, Longlands, Cawdor, Edinburg, Tantallon and Dunnottar farms situated in ward 9 in the district of Seke in between the area administered by Chitungwiza Municipality and that administered by Manyame Rural.

Along the way the joint committee stopped functioning after the then Local Government minister replaced it with Urdcorp after he felt that the joint committee was not equal to the task as some members were  pursuing self-interests.

The minister’s decision, which created an administrative vacuum on the six farms turned into residential areas, particularly Longlands and Bremer, is threatening to get out of hand if it is not urgently attended to.

CHITUNGWIZA councillors are set to make tough decisions at tomorrow’s full council meeting following revelations that the acting chamber secretary has advised that council risks litigation running into thousands of dollars over a recent resolution made to terminate the valuation roll contract awarded to Grosbroke Real Estate (Pvt) Ltd.

Councillors recently blocked a tender for the town’s valuation roll exercise awarded to Grosbrook Real Estate, accusing acting town clerk Japson Nemuseso of signing the contract without following due process.

But the acting chamber secretary is reported to have recommended that council must consider a solution that mitigates against imminent monetary and time losses that will arise if they stick to the resolution.

The chamber secretary also advised that following an analysis of the facts, chances of Council successfully defending a lawsuit against council were very slim.

According to a document from the chamber secretary’s office, Grosbrook has advised through its lawyers their contracts cannot be terminated through a resolution but according to contract termination clauses in their agreement with council.

“The document advises that the lawyers are demanding 15% payment since the contract had not been terminated.”

The lawyers demanded that Council must withdraw the letter of termination within 10 days, failure which they would institute legal proceedings against Council for breach of contract.

 “This is due to the fact that there is a valid legal agreement between the parties, and the Consultant has not breached any terms of this agreement. f) There are high chances that Council will incur legal costs for paying our lawyers to defend a case whose chances of success are slim and will also ultimately pay damages. g) In the event of losing the case Council will also have to meet the Consultant’s legal costs. h) While the case will be dragging in the courts an injunction may be sought against Council until the matter is finalised. i) After incurring the monetary and opportunity costs Council will still have to tender for a Consultant for the Valuation Roll since this is mandatory to all local authorities.” part of the written advice reads.

The Human Resources and General Purpose  Committee has also tabled an agenda to rescind the resolution of 31st of July 2024, for tomorrow’s meeting.

Following its meeting on the  3rd of September 2024 the committee also proposes that Grosbrooke proceeds with the negotiated price without e-cadastral following its  meeting held on the   3rd of September 2024. 

A source said that councillors were not happy with other issues to do with the tender process.

“The advert did not have certain specifications that were added in the actual contract without a resolution from the council is another redflag.

According to sources, the councillors also queried the amount to be paid Grosbrook, which they believe was inflated and resolved to set up a commission of enquiry to investigate the issue.

However, another source said that other councillors were wary of violating the Public Procurement And Disposal Of Public Assets Act, particularly Section 14.

According to documents available to Dungwiza News Grosbrook Real Estate Private Limited has instructed its lawyers to respond to a letter on the Contract agreement for the preparation of the General Valuation  Roll for Residential and non-Residential Properties dated 6 August 2024.

Council announced recently it will be undertaking a general valuation of all properties in  Chitungwiza in terms of the Urban Councils Act and has appointed Grosbrook to undertake the exercise.

The notice  stated that this was  in line with the first stage of  President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Call to Action -No Compromise to Service Delivery interventions aimed at modernising local authorities operations in line with Vision 2030.

The properties include residential, commercial, industrial and institutional properties, read the notice signed by Nemuseso.

A general valuation roll is a legal document that consists of property information of all rateable properties within the boundaries of a municipality.