POLOKWANE – Barely a month after her latest album titled His Glory won the best gospel album of the year at the Independent National Gospel Music Awards (Iingoma), Thabelo Netshiunda bagged two more awards.
Her Tshima nominations come after her album, His Glory, took the gospel fraternity by storm with hit songs such as Wa Vhuthu O Ri Tondaho and Greater is the one in me dominating the airwaves.
Her first accolade, the best gospel album of the year award, provided an opportunity for her to perform in London, UK later this year and there is no saying what her latest two Tshima awards for best gospel artist and best female artist will bring.
Thabelo shot to stardom in 2012 when she became the inaugural winner of the Rofhiwa Manyaga Gospel Star Search competition.
A year later she released her debut album, Kha Rendwe Yesu, the album which features the song Thendo na Vhugala which has become Thabelo’s signature song.
Thabelo said winning the best gospel album of the year award was a dream come true for her as she was expecting a reward of some sort for the hard work she put in when recording the album.
“The team and I did everything possible to make His Glory the best product. I consulted my supporters and those I could reach told me exactly what they expected of me and I needed to work harder to get to the level they expected me to be at,” said Thabelo.
Asked about how she felt about winning at the Tshima, the soft-spoken Thabelo said it was always a good feeling to be recognised and appreciated at home.
“I am Muvenda, most of my songs are in Tshivenda and these two awards mean I am counted among those who fly the flag for Tshivenda gospel music high. “I feel very humbled and honoured. I am so grateful to my family of fans and supporters who believe in my ministry and voted for me. I give the glory and the honour to the Lord for His unconditional love. These awards go to all my supporters, without them I am nothing. I love them and I will keep working hard to produce good music for the kingdom of heaven.”
Thabelo has also been nominated in three categories for the Gauteng Gospel Music Awards (GGMA) set to take place on 9 December at the Market Theatre in Newtown Johannesburg.
She is nominated for the best gospel artist, best female artist and best worship album categories.
