From the first note to the last, the audience worshipped and cheered as performance after performance was lit at the Crown awards that took place for the 1st time in Gauteng. Last night, the World Gospel PowerHouse presented a glorious star-studded event with Gospel music lovers packing the 8000 seater dome – as tickets were sold out.
FANS FROM OUTSIDE SA
Music fans travelled from across the country and others travelled as far as Swaziland, Botswana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Congo DRC to support their country’s nominees. Some traveled from Botswana and came in big numbers to support Tsepo Lesola who won the Best of Africa Gospel category. Nigerian fans took it to social media that next year they will vote in big numbers for their own OV Prince and will make sure he brings the award home.
STUNNING FASHION AND CELEBRITIES
Celebrities like Shaun Mamkhize, Sophie Ndaba, Mihlali Ndamase all graced the gold carpet. Shauwn Mamkhize made a grand entrance in her diamond silver piece which lit the stage with tiny crystals as she presented 2 categories. Zanele Mbokazi, known for her red carpet dresses, looked stunning in a solid red evening gown.
KHAYA MTHETHWA AND RORISANG – ANCHOR PRESENTERS
Khaya Mthethwa and Rorisang Thandekayo were an excellent combination, keeping the crowd inspired, entertained, informed and captivated with their catchy lingo, top tier tv hosting skills and over 5 designer garments which left the audience in awe.
COMMENTS FROM PATRONS
“Thank you for a world class production” said the legendary Lindelani Mkhize
“Thank you for being fair, and for elevating the Gospel music industry” said Rebecca Malope
“We thank God for Zanele Mbokazi in the body of Christ.” Said Apostle Felix Okoh
THE BIG WINS
Masibuyele kuJehova, the group of elderly women who have been in the music industry for 35 years, were honoured with the lifetime achievement award. They were overwhelmed and broke into a worship song.
THE 2 BIG CATERGORIES
BEST GOSPEL ARTIST
Canaan Nyati won the best Gospel artist of the year with 13 880, followed by 13 736, 8082, 7413 and 348JUMBO WINS BIG!
Jumbo won the best Gospel male award and the biggest award of the night – the best Gospel song – with his Makabongwe uJesu with an amazing 127 571 votes.
He was followed by the song who got 20 072, no 3 got 9821, no 4 – 7191
FULL HOUSE
The tickets were sold out. There was a bit of a delay as security personnel stopped the guests from entering the marquee which caused a bit of agitation as the 8000-strong crowd were eager to go in.
TV BROADCAST
The awards will be on SABC2 on Sunday the 3rd of December at 19h30. Zanele says she hopes to expand the awards not only in South Africa, but also in African countries that have a gospel music following and the rest of the world especially in the USA where international gospel musicians can share the stage, perform and also be nominated for Crown Gospel awards in order to open the awards to all Gospel musicians in the world who want to get recognized and celebrated for their beautiful music.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Zanele Mbokazi, the founder and executive producer of the Crown Awards says they are expanding the Gospel footprint and empire with 2 new projects. The Gospel music films and The Gospel Dreams talent search.
The World Gospel PowerHouse is now taking Gospel into the small and big screen – through Gospel films and documentaries. The first one will be the cost of the Crown, telling the story and the journey of the Crown Gospel music awards (the cost of the crown: emotionally, spiritually, mentally, financially etc.)
The Gospel Dreams talent search was launched in September in Gauteng, and the first winner was Sfiso Mabuza who got a standing ovasion yesterday, after performing on the Crown stage. “We are ready to take Gospel Dreams talent search to TV, as a full production. The talent search will extend into other African countries. “We aim to ensure that the talent unearthed through this process gets maximum exposure and promotion”
WINNERS OF 2023 CROWN GOSPEL AWARDS
Best Jazz song
Swazi Dlamini
Best Accapella
Yithi Laba Gospel Singers
Best Rap
Vovee and LG
Best Community Outreach
Letia Mawelane
Best Producer Producer
Khaya Mthethwa for 3C Live album
Best New Comer (2 WINNERS)
Sibusiso Nzima (Gauteng)
Soso Maholwana (Eastern Cape)
Best Clap and Tap
Spiritual Gospel choir
Best Gospel Itende
Londiwe Spe Nxumalo (Swaziland)
Best Video
KingD
Best Gospel Collaboration
Swazi Dlamini and Phutuma Tiso
Best Live recording
Gershom Ntimane Group (Mpumalanga)
Best Gospel Group
Thembisa Gospel Group (Ekurhuleni)
Best Worship Song
Collen Maluleke
Best of Africa Gospel
Tsepo Lesola (Botswana)
Best Traditional Gospel song
Butho Vuthela – Ethembeni bambelela
Best Gospel song Writer
Dumi Mkokstad for vumbelimnandi
Best Classic of all time
Joseph Tshawane for a real classic
Best Contemporary
Mnqobi Nxumalo
Best Praise
Tebs David for Makabongwe
Best Female
Sindi Ntombela
Best Male
Jumbo
Best Gospel Album
3C live
Lifetime Achievement award
Masibuyele kuJehova group
Best Gospel Artist
Canann Nyathi
Best Gospel Song
Makabongwe uJesu by Jumbo
