Pastor Admire Kasi, also known as Addy Kasi, is a well-respected figure in the Zimbabwean gospel music scene. He gained fame for introducing the inaugural Nguva Yakwana Gospel Concert, a significant event in the world of gospel music in Zimbabwe. Admire Kasi is not only a gospel music producer and promoter but also a charismatic preacher. He is the founder of Upperview Ministries International, a prominent Pentecostal ministry, and is married to the renowned gospel singer Ivy Kombo.
Gospel Career
Admire Kasi’s journey in gospel music commenced in the late 1980s when he began his work in evangelism. Over time, he became a prominent evangelist within the church community. In 1993, he made a mark by establishing Gospel Train Records, one of the earliest gospel-oriented recording studios in Zimbabwe.
In 1994, a significant milestone occurred when he founded the Ezekiel Guti Evangelical Association (EGEA) Gospel Train band. He collaborated with well-known artists like Ivy Kombo, Elizabeth Manyowa, Carol Mujokoro, and others. This collaboration coincided with EGEA crusades throughout Zimbabwe, spreading the gospel across the nation.
Another remarkable contribution by Admire Kasi was the establishment of the Nguva Yakwana Gospel Concert in 1999, setting the stage for gospel music concerts in Zimbabwe. This event evolved into a festival in 2000, held at the Harare Gardens, featuring top gospel artists from Southern Africa. As the event gained popularity, it eventually moved to the Harare International Conference Center to accommodate the growing number of attendees. However, in 2003, the event faced criticism from some Christian reporters who alleged that it was deviating from Zimbabwe’s traditional Christian values.
Education and Achievements
Admire Kasi holds a Master’s degree in Law from the University of Buckingham. He is also an accomplished author, having penned books such as “Hello Jonah” and “From The Womb With God.” In 1986, Kasi was recognized as one of Zimbabwe’s young executives, managing a significant corporation when he was appointed as the ZIMNAT Life Assurance provincial manager.
Personal Life
Admire Kasi’s personal life has been marked by various controversies. He has faced challenges in gaining public acceptance due to several public scandals. One of the most notable incidents revolves around his marriage to Ivy Kombo, a prominent gospel musician. Their relationship has been the subject of public scrutiny and controversy.
Marriage Controversy
Admire Kasi’s marriage to Ivy Kombo, a renowned gospel singer, became the center of a public scandal. Ivy Kombo had been under his care since childhood and was considered by many as his adopted daughter. The significant age difference and their past familial relationship raised ethical concerns and prompted public scrutiny. It also led to questions about the appropriateness of their union within Christian and societal norms.
Ivy Kombo’s Ex-Husband’s Perspective
Reverend Edmore Moyo, Ivy Kombo’s ex-husband, shed light on the controversy surrounding her marriage to Admire Kasi. He revealed that Admire Kasi, who had looked after Ivy and her twin sister Anne Kombo since they were young, played a vital role in Ivy’s upbringing. Speaking exclusively to Nehanda Radio in London, Rev Moyo shared his side of the story, revealing how Kasi’s involvement had a profound impact on his marriage to Ivy. This complex situation was marked by love, betrayal, and heartbreak.
Ivy Kombo’s Response to Critics
Ivy Kombo, the central figure in the marriage controversy, responded to critics who questioned her relationship with Admire Kasi. Despite public outcry and rumors of an affair between her and Kasi, Ivy defended her actions. She remained defiant, asserting that she was only accountable to God for her choices. Her unapologetic stance generated mixed reactions from the Zimbabwean public, intensifying the controversy.
2023 Arrest For Fraud & Perjury
On November 2, 2023, Ivy Kombo and Admire Kasi faced arrest on charges of obtaining fake certificates to practice law in Zimbabwe fraudulently. They had acquired Bachelor of Laws degrees in England and were among 12 lawyers admitted at the High Court earlier in the year, using certificates allegedly obtained through fraudulent means with the assistance of a suspended Council for Legal Education official.
The allegations suggest that Ivy Kombo approached a Council for Legal Education official, Shorai Tafadzwa Mupunga, to assist her in registering and writing the conversion examinations necessary to practice law in Zimbabwe. Mupunga, in turn, engaged Huggins Duri, then the CLE secretary, who indicated that he could facilitate the issuance of the conversion certificates without the couple having to write the conversion examinations. This would come at a cost of US$1,100.
Both Ivy Kombo and Admire Kasi allegedly paid the requested amount through Mupunga, who subsequently transferred the funds to Duri. Duri then processed the certificates, certifying that the couple had written and passed eight conversion subjects. These subjects included Statute Law, Evidence, Bookkeeping, Civil Law Practice duties and Functions, Ethics for Legal Practitioners, Civil Practice and Procedure, Common Law 1, and Common Law 2.
Admire Kasi faced complications in settling his bail conditions due to discrepancies in his documents, specifically the name on his passport not matching the one on the State’s papers. This led to concerns that he might be detained in remand prison. In response, Kasi fell into a trance-like state, creating a dramatic scene in court before ultimately resolving the issue and securing his release.
References
- Herald Zimbabwe – Admire Kasi’s Profile – November 02, 2023
- Nehanda Radio – Ivy Kombo’s Ex-Husband Speaks – July 30, 2010
- Herald Zimbabwe – Ivy Kombo’s Profile – May 23, 2011
- iHarare – Ivy Kombo-Kasi’s Career Switch – February 9, 2023
- iHarare – Ivy Kombo’s Defiant Stance – April 1, 2019
- H-Metro – Ivy Kombo’s Husband’s Trance – November 3, 2023
