Margaret Motsage and Nigerian artist Uche dominated the night, each winning two trophies. Lundi’s acclaimed Mphefumulo Wami was named the classic of all times and the prestigious Lifetime Achievers Award went to Sizwe Zako.

The crown gospel awards recognise the best gospel musicians in South Africa.

Here are the winners:

Best male – Sfiso Ncwane
Best female – Winnie Mashaba
Best Accapella – Abanqobi
Best Maskandi – Intombi kaJehova
Best DVD – Uche
Best Engineer – Woleni
Best Gospel Artist – Sipho Makabane
Best Newcomer – Sgwili and Babo
Best Gospel group – Worship House
Best Traditional gospel – Kholeka Dubula
Best R&B/Rap – Intense
Best Amazion – Believers in Christ
Best Gospel Music Video – Margaret Motsage
Best Songwriter – Percy Ingle
Best album Contemporary – Karabo Mongatane
Best praise – Uche
Best Worship album – Israel Mosehla
Best Gospel jazz – Sifaniso
Classics of all times – Mphefumulo Wami- Lundi
Best Gospel producer – Big Boy Mlangeni
Best Gospel song – Phakama- Sfiso Ncwane
Best Africans gospel – Juanita Du Plessis
Best of Africa – Cuco
Best Church Choir – St Michaels Church Choir
Lifetime Achiever award – Sizwe Zako

The event will be a three-country extravaganza, featuring Lesotho’s legendary gospel artist Tshepo Tshola, Botswana’s Lebogang ‘Lebo Gee’ Moitoki and Winnie Mashaba.

In a bid to help up-and-coming musicians in Botwana, the three musos will hold workshops on the 26th of November. “To me, the knowledge we shall give during the workshop is even more important than the singing I will do the next day. The knowledge that the upcoming artists will acquire will help them reach the levels of Tshola and others,” says Mashaba.

Mashaba is one of the most-loved female gospel musicians in South Africa. She has won many accolades, key among them, a nomination for a 2005 Kora Music Award.

She grew up in Steelpoort, Limpopo and began singing when she was in primary school. Her debut studio album Exoda 20, released in 2000, sold over 25, 000 units and opened many doors for her in the music industry.

Fraser, who was initially not nominated this year, is now up against The Plain Truth, Margaret Motsage and Thembi Seete in the Best Music Video category. According to the awards’ spokes person, Wendy Sithole, Fraser had the second most votes after Jub Jub and automatically became a replacement.

The Crown Gospel Music Awards were created 3 years ago to recognise South African gospel musicians. Three categories, namely Best Gospel Song, Classic Of all Times and Best Gospel Artist are voted for by the public. Fans can vote for their favourite musos by sending an SMS with the name of the musician to 34069 or calling 084 198 3292.

The winners will be announced at the ICC in Durban on November 21.

Others nominees include:
BEST MASKANDI: Kwenza, Intombi kaJehova, Mfiliseni Magubane, Bonakelew
BEST DVD: Songs & Psalms, Lusanda Spiritual, Uche, Andile kaMajola
BEST NEWCOMER: Bukiwe, Reality 7, Sgwili and Babo, Linah Mahlangu
BEST R&B/RAP: Fifty50 Family, Sir J Afrique, Simply Chrysolite, Intense
BEST JAZZ: Jo Anne Q, Lulu Dikane, Karabo Mongatane, Sfaniso
BEST MALE: Sfiso Ncwane, Tshepiso, Sechaba, Israel Mosehla
BEST FEMALE: Veliswa Skeyi, Kholeka, Lusanda, Winnie Mashaba
BEST SONGWRITER: Percy Ingle, Babo, Joel Maposa, Andile kaMajola
BEST GOSPEL GROUP: Ncandweni, Abanqobi, Worship House, IPCC
BEST TRADITIONAL: Kholeka, Veliswa, Thobekile, Sechaba
CLASSIC OF ALL TIME: Lusanda, Hlengiwe, Lundi, Abanqobi
BEST MUSIC VIDEO: The Plain Truth, Deborah Fraser, Margaret Motsage, Thembi Seete
BEST WORSHIP ALBUM: Tshepiso Motaung, Kholeka, Andile kaMajola, Israel Mosehla
BEST PRAISE ALBUM: Tshepiso Motaung, PS Ncanda, CRC, Uche
BEST GOSPEL ARTIST: Sfiso Ncwane, Sechaba, Sipho Makhabane, Winnie Mashaba
BEST GOSPEL SONG: Sfiso Ncwane, Uche, Zaza, Khanyisa
BEST GOSPEL PRODUCER: Big Boy Mlangeni, Sipho Makhabane, Babo, Joel Maposa.

The Crown Gospel Awards Committee says they decided to axe the controversial rapper after receiving numerous complaints from the public. Jub Jub, who is facing charges of murder, attempted murder, reckless and drunken driving, had been nominated for best music video for his ‘Jerusalem’ music video.

Jub Jub and co-accused Themba Tshabalala were racing in Soweto when their vehicles ploughed into a group of schoolchildren.

The  committee’s Pastor Vusi Dube says the victims’ families and the Congress of SA Students (Cosas) were in the forefront of the protests. He says a replacement for Jub Jub will be announced today.

Other nominees in the Best Music Video category include The Plain Truth, Margaret Motsage and Thembi Seete.

The Awards are organised yearly by World Gospel Powerhouse, a company established to assist performers and promote local gospel music.

They will be held in Durban at the iNkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) on November 21.

The three hour show will end at about 21h00 and will be followed by a cocktail party for  invited guests. Tickets are available at Computicket.

This year, the awards feature 28 categories including the prestigious Classic of all Times, Best Gospel Song and Best Gospel Artist accolades.

Gospel musicians from all walks of life submitted their music for consideration between August and October, and for the first time this year, church choirs and worship groups have a chance to compete in a new category
called Best Church Choir.

The awards are organised yearly by World Gospel Powerhouse, a company established to assist performers and promote local gospel music. Launched in 2008, the popular awards have grown to become South Africa’s premier gospel music awards. Last year, they became the first South African music awards to be attended by a president after Jacob Zuma who made a surprise appearance at the ICC Arena in Durban.

This year, the awards will be broadcast live from Durban’s iNkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) on Sunday, November 21 on SABC2.

Tickets are available at Computicket for R400. The event sold out last year so get you tickets early.

The talented singer will entertain music lovers at the inaugural ‘I Am Woman’ Lifestyle Extravaganza, which is being organised by Thought24 magazines – True Love, Real and Move. The event will take place on 02 October 2010 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Jonathan Harris, Thought24 CEO and publisher says “I Am Woman will be the biggest event that Thought24’s brands have showcased to date. Set in a dynamic, mixed concert and EXPO-style format, leading fashion, beauty, food and lifestyle brands will be able to engage with more than 2 000 readers who will explore and experience these brands in a unique setting.”

The concert will also feature top comedian Trevor Noah, multi-award-winning rapper HHP, Afro-pop sensation Malaika and internationally acclaimed drummers, Drum Cafe.

“This will be a breathtaking one-day experience filled with celebrities, fashion beauty, entertainment and so much more. Also expect fabulous beauty pamper sessions from the best in the South African beauty industry, hot fashion runway shows and cooking demonstrations,” adds Harris.

Tickets for the much-awaited event are available at Computicket from R375.

Standard Bank and Sofn’ Free Healthy Living are also sponsoring the event.

“This event follows on the highly successful 2008 Mega Fest, where the bishops shared a message of change with a 100 000 strong crowd,” explains ‘It’s Your Time’ Convention spokesperson Thami Ngubeni of Thamzin Media – the organiser of the event.

Since launching his MegaFest in Atlanta, USA six years ago, TD Jakes has reached out to millions of people across the world. His debut MegaFest drew an overall record-breaking attendance of 560 000, with an economic impact of up to $125 million on the city.

Twice featured on the cover of Time magazine as “America’s Best Preacher” and as one of America’s “25 most influential evangelicals”, Bishop T. D. Jakes leads more than 30,000 members of The Potter’s House in Dallas. He first visited Africa in1995 and since then, he has toured a host of African countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria and South Africa.

“This year’s message is an echo of the now historic slogan, Ke Nako – It’s Time. Visit www.itsyourtime.co.za or join It’s Your Time on Facebook for daily updates and messages,” adds Ngubeni.

Tickets are selling from R150 – R350 and are available at tngubeni@thamzinmedia.com

The popular UK-based worship band will perform in Cape Town, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth and Gauteng.

The band says it is “God-Centered, Purpose-Driven and People-Empowering’. They say that this vision has caused their ‘new breed’ church to flourish as they’ve started to reach out and practically express God’s love. Like any fiery, passionate group of worshipers – there’s a heavenly sound erupting from within them. Their latest worship album, ‘Name Above All Names’ has had huge success internationally, touching many people across Europe.

The band has worked with a host of top musicians including Grammy Award-winning producer, Bernie Herms.

You don’t want to miss out on this powerful expression of worship, so make sure you mark the dates below in your diary!

Dates:

Cape Town on the 5th of September at Hillsong
Contact the church at info@hillsong.co.za

Durban on the 8th September at Kloof Harvest Church
Contact the church on 031 764 2806

East London on the 10th of September at Rivers Church
Contact TJ on 043 711 4800

Port Elizabeth on the 11th of September at Word Of Faith
Contact Anika on 041 399 4400

Boksburg on the 12th of September at Christian Family Church
Contact Charlotte on 011 230 9300

The songstress performed for an amped crowd in Bulawayo on Friday before going to Harare, where she also attracted a huge crowd. Promoters had run a massive campaign about her visit, distributing thousands of flyers, putting up posters all over Harare and Bulawayo, and branding vehicles with information about her two shows in the country.

Born in 1966 in KwaMashu in the KwaZulu Natal province, Fraser started singing at school. Initially staying in Durban, she moved to Johannesburg, in the Gauteng province in 1985 to seek for greener pastures in the recording industry. She started out working with composer, singer and gospel producer Mthunzi Namba who also hails from her province. She rose to prominence after announcing that she was the voice being used in many songs that were only credited to the late Brenda Fassie.

To date, she has sold more than a million units and won many accolades including the prestigious Best Female Crown Gospel Music Award. Her latest album, uThando features a host of popular musos including, Sello “Chicco” Twala, Sipho Sithole, Master Wakes and Abe Sibiya. Unlike her previous solo albums, uThando is an Afro-pop offering based on secular themes.

This year, the awards feature 28 categories, including the prestigious Classic of all Times, Best Gospel Song and Best Gospel Artist awards. The Awards are organised yearly by World Gospel PowerhouseT, a company established to assist performers and promote local gospel music.

They will be hosted in Durban at the ICC Arena on 21 November.

The categories are:

1.Best Male Gospel Artist
2.Best Female Gospel Artist
3.Best Accapella (Solo and Group)
4.Best pop
5.Best Rock
6.Best Maskandi (Solo or Group)
7.Best DVD
8.Best Engineer
9.Best Gospel Artist
10.Best Newcomer
11.Best Gospel Group
12.Best Traditional Gospel (Solo or Group)
13.Best R&B /Rap Gospel (Solo or Group)
14.Best Amazion (Solo or Group)
15. Best Gospel Music Video
16.Best song writer
17.Best Contemporary Album
18.Best Praise song
19.Best Worship song
20.Best Jazz (Solo or Group)
21.Classic of All Times
22.Best Gospel Producer
23.Best Gospel Song
24.Best Afrikaans Gospel (Solo or Group)
25.Best Church Choir (new)
26.The Best of Africa Gospel

Nominations close on 10 October 2010. For nomination please call the World Gospel PowerHouse on 031-303 3520 or get a form on www.wgph.co.za