Inside the 2021 Crown Gospel Awards

Earlier this month, the who’s who in South Africa’s gospel music industry made their way to The Playhouse Theatre for the live recording of the 2021 Crown Gospel Awards. 

Keeping the current circumstances of the pandemic in mind, the awards organised the get-together with Covid protocols in mind – thus limiting the number of people able to attend the live recording of the 14th Annual Crown Gospel Awards.

Everyone else will have to wait until the end of the month to watch the awards ceremony which is set to be broadcast on television. 

Nominees such as Takie Ndou, Ayanda Ntanzi, Mnqobi Nxumalo and Puleng March were all in attendance alongside guests such as Nthati Moshesh (Isono), Harriet Manamela (Skeem Sam), Sandile Dlamini (Imbewu), Brenda Mhlongo (Imbewu), Mike Mdlangamakhe, McDonald Ndou (KK Mulaudzi of Muvhango), Dr Tumi, Amadodana AseWesile and the Qwabe Twins, to name a few.

The 2021 Crown Gospel Awards ceremony, aimed at creating a platform to celebrate the best of South Africa’s gospel industry, was hosted by Pastor Khaya Mthethwa. 

The former Idols SA contestant is best known as a South African singer-songwriter, composer, musician, arranger, multi-instrumentalist and TV presenter. 

“The young pastor with a glittering resume, handled the awards with such poise and refined mastery as he took on the stage to announce all the deserving winners for 2021,” said organisers in a statement. 

Founder and executive producer of the Crown Gospel Music Awards Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule chose a royal blue number bedazzled with rose gold details as she geared to take on the stage to honour all the nominees celebrated this year.

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“Fourteen awards shows, fourteen years later #HeIsStillJehovah! As the World Gospel Powerhouse, we are elated to have reached this milestone and we thank God for carrying us thus far,” said Mbokazi-Nkambule in a statement. 

“Through the Crown Gospel Music Awards we have not only been able to celebrate artists but we [have] created a platform where musicians can be recognized for their God-given talent,” she added.

Although some awards were handed out, five categories remain open for voting. Among the categories still open for voting are Best Gospel Song and Best Gospel Artist.

Fans can continue casting their votes by sending their favourite 2021 Crown Gospel Awards nominee’s code to 34069. 

SMSes are charged at R1.50 per vote and one can vote as many times as they like. Free SMSes do not apply. Voting for these categories will close on 20 November 2021, midnight. 

Here is a full list of the 2021 Crown Gospel Music Awards winners:

• Best Gospel Song Writer – Takie Ndou
• Best Gospel Itende – Indumiso Yetende
• Best Gospel Album – Takie Ndou
• Classic Of All Times – Tebs Davids (You Are Faithful)
• Best Worship Song – Xolisa Kwinana, Sithi Bayede
• Best Praise Song – Sbu Banda – Papa God Of Miracles
• Best Male Gospel Artist – Ayanda Ntanzi
• Best Female Gospel Artist – Thobekile Mkhwanazi
• Best New Comer Gospel Artist – Xolly Mncwango
• Best Gospel Group – Umlazi Gospel Choir
• Best Traditional Gospel – Godfrey Mahlangu – Lentswe
• Best Gospel Accapella – Abakhethwa Gospel Singers
• Best Clap And Tap – Tshidi Chauke
• Best Gospel Dvd – Tshwane Gospel Choir
• Best Gospel Producer – Nqubeko Mbatha For Ayanda Ntanzi’s According To Grace
• Best Gospel Engineer – Job Thako For Takie Ndou
• Best Of Africa Gospel – Janet Manyowa- Zimbabwe

• Best Gospel Jazz Song – Bra Bushi, Akukho Okunye
• Best Gospel Collaboration – Ian Calf Featuring Thinah Zungu – Jesu Nguye
• Best Contemporary Gospel Song – Shaun P – Jesus The Centre
• Best Gospel Music Video – Crystal Tyron, Vuka Ukhanye
• Best Gospel Rap – Melisa Sibaya
• Best Community Outreach – De Bruin

Categories still open for voting

• Best Gospel Artist – Ayanda Ntanzi, Takie Ndou And Cannaan Nyathi (Winner to be announced 20 November)
• Best Gospel Song – Healing Power, Wena Nkosi Uyazi, Nawe Ungamthatha, Basuka Baya Ezweni (Winner to be announced 20 November)
• Best Gospel Community Radio – (Winner to be announced 20 November)
• Best Amazion – (Winner to be announced 20 November)
• Best Gospel Commercial/Pbs Radio Show  – (Winner to be announced 20 November)

The 2021 Crown Gospel Awards will air on SABC 2 (DStv Channel 192) at 8 pm on 28 November 2021.

Compiled by Kaunda Selisho

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