On their debut last year, the SABC Crown Gospel Awards spawned massive surprises that left many gasping for more. And the 2nd addition was never intended to be an exception. Expecting even more surprises, thousands of gospel music followers thronged the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre last Sunday, to celebrate the best gospel music acts of 2009.
It was a historical night that showcased an ever-vibrant gospel music sector enjoying immeasurable support from its consumers. Hosted in KwaZulu-Natal for the second consecutive year, the event sold out quickly and certainly proved why gospel music is the highest selling genre in South Africa. The cherry on top was a surprise appearance by President Jacob Zuma, who registered his first attendance at a music awards ceremony since his election in April 2009.
It started like any other legit gospel event, with an opening prayer accompanied by a praise and worship song. Gospel songbirds, Sifiso and Thembisile opened the ceremony with an emotional performance that seemed to relate to the crowd in many ways. I could hear the crowd shouting and screaming as I stood on my toes, attempting to capture a clear footage of the duo in action. KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize then gave a brief speech soon after, reiterating his office’s support for the coveted awards.
The crowd was buzzing with the tension of anticipation and I guess the question on everyone’s mind was ‘who will win the Song of The Year Award?’ But as the night progressed, it became clear that male artists dominated the gospel scene this year. Testament to that is the alarming fact that only three individual female musicians won out of the 20 categories that were available this year.
Solly Mhlangu’s turbo-powered “Obrigado” won the “Best Song Of 2009” accolade, while Pastor Benjamin Dube nabbed both the Best Artist and Lifetime Achievers awards. Dube who had been nominated in four categories, was also the only musician to win more than one accolade this year.
Sipho Makabane, beat ach-rival Lundi in the Best Traditional category, while Keke was voted the best male artist by the public. The Classic Of All Times and Best Songwriter awards went to Sfiso Ncwane (for Umkhuleco) and Andile kaMajola respectively. The late Pastor, Jay Hlungwani was named the best producer of the year, beating Sipho Makhabane, Joel Maphosa and Big Boy Mlangeni.
KZN-born songstress Nomusa Dlomo finally made her province proud, winning the Best Contemporary trophy. Another female musoe, Margaret Mostage beat Ennie Smith in the Best Jazz category.
Groups which won during the night include Trust in Christ, Rhema South, Joyous Celebration, Plain Truth, Proxy and Worship House.
Hlengiwe Mhlaba, who joined other heavyweights to deliver a series of performances that almost tuned the ceremony into an epic gospel concert, was crowned the Best Female artist of the year.
Other performances came from Deborah Fraser, Keke, Sechaba, Solly Mahlangu, Sipho Makhabane and Plain Truth.
Winners:
1. Best Male Artist: Keke
2. Best Acapella: Abangobi
3. Best Pop Rock: Proxy
4. Best DVD: The Plain Truth
5. Best Artist: Benjamin Dube
6. Best Newcomer: Banele Mhlangu
7. Best Group: Joyous Celebration
8. Best Traditional: Sipho Makabane
9. Best Female artist: Hlengiwe Mhlaba
10. Best Contemporary: Nomusa Dlomo
11. Best Praise and worship: Rhema South
12. Best Jazz: Margaret Mostage
13. Best R&B rap: Jabu Nkabinde
14. Best Ama Zion: Trust in Christ
15. Best Music Video: Worship House
16. Best song writers: Andile kaMajola
17. Best Classic Of All Times: Sfiso Ncwane (Umkhuleco)
18. Best Producer: Jay Hlungwani
19. Best Song: “Obrigado” by Solly Mahlangu
20. Lifetime Achievers Award: Benjamin Dube
Written by Eddie Hatitye
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November 25th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
But Keke did not deserve to win
November 25th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
nice one i loved it.
November 25th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
The should be something wrong cos the award went to Benjamin Dube outspoken…I think Zodwa and Winnie Mashaba got nicer voices that Hlengiwe,,I mean in terms of vocalists..and the award would have been went to Zodwa not Hlengiwe,,,Zodwa is vocally talented,thanks.
Magret Motsage is a star of all the time,,also deserves best female why not her why? wy Jay didnt win while alive somewhere I smell a rat on this awards really. Until when is Sipho Makhabane and Joyous Celebration going to be nominated and win…why wasnt Solly Moholo in any catergory? haaaaaa here I really smell a rat .good luck to the winners
November 25th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
hey wena Lerato, you always want things to go your way? stop complaining and congratulate the winners..tjo!
November 26th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Polite its a free my dear and anyone is titled to personal opinion well I also thin Magareth Motsepe is automaticaly the best female…she is unrecognised hero….she is the best I mean musically and vocally.
yes some should give space to others,,it was very very great not to see others again and again..yes we salute the winners
November 26th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Margaret Mostage deserved to win she the best
November 26th, 2009 at 10:03 am
Magret Motsage deserved to win she the best
November 26th, 2009 at 10:27 am
I just love Margareth Motsage she is talented and gifted…infact I respect the lady…Margareth is the best family in practice..award or no award Magareth is the best!
Norton
November 26th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Ja neh
November 26th, 2009 at 11:12 am
I meant to say Female not family..I still repeat Magareth Motsage the best female as far as Im concerned
November 26th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Congrats to all deserving winners, well done and oh yes I agree male artists did dominate this year and I wonder if this is not the men’s world. But anyway this means that female artists need to work harder than before, what happened to “wathint’abafazi, wathint’imbokodo”, come on guys, make us proud. But then whatever happened, you all are winners in Christ. As long as the message is going out there, helping people, changing people’s lives, I think that’s all that matters. Continue to bless us and God will reward you. It was indeed a great show.
Sis Veliswa, I love you, I love your music, for me you rock, baby you rock…I so wanted you to take it, I was so disappointed, on my way back home from the show I played your CD as loud as my radio could go, but I still believe in you sisi, next time sihamba nayo….
November 27th, 2009 at 10:10 am
i congradulate al de winners more especially pastor Mahlangu, Hlengiwe and the Big fish Makhabane. for those who did not win their crowns are in process in heaven they must just hang on there. but i’m still puzzled though that Rebecca did nt appear, maybe its about time bcs she is a bomb non-stop.
November 27th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Zanele why dont u televise the cgma? Its impossible for all of us to attend the show we are the fans sivotile for our favourate artist but we couldint see the show because we cant afford to come to durban plz next time do something its not nice to be left out otherwise congra to hlengiwe and big fish
November 27th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Well, you know what they say… let the best win. At last Pastor Benjamin Dube won something. He is my HERO and he deserves it!!!
To all the winners: “Keep it up!!”
November 28th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Ah!mhlekazi i thank u cos ma favorite won.sis hlengiwe congrats u deserve it n i love u pls come to plkwane
November 30th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Lholhy, I attended the show and they informed us that it will be broadcasted on the 5th of December 2009 on SABC 1, I am not sure about the time as yet but probably during the evening. So keep an eye!!! These are our people, our heros, our artists, our source of motivation, they really deserve to be celebrated.
November 30th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Wow congratulations 2 all of u winners and u non winnerz i lv u al in the name of our heavenly father. 2u gospel giants niyabona uba umsebenzi wenu wokudumisa unkulunkulu uyasguqula ngoba nazi ne new comer ziwina lama award ngoba nizizibonelo, kade niyíhamba ledlela ndingatsho ndithi ikwangumsebenzi wenu namaproduceronke asemzantsi and GOD may give u more amandla and more anikhumbule ngamaxesha onke, Aw sis ReBECCA undkhumbule mandiphela amandla’ HALELUYA
December 1st, 2009 at 10:05 am
Bafwethu ABANQOBI congra and it shows ukuthi inina ongqo kulesi style,ITHEMBA sorry u r not the best.
December 1st, 2009 at 10:10 am
I agree with u anonymos Abanqobi are the best in music,representative and they look good.Style is wat they have and wear
December 1st, 2009 at 1:45 pm
To kuni zigospel artist zalapha ekhaya frm me i alwyz wish al of u can diserve 2 win an award because no one cannot diserve any gift 4 his job i dont care how bad it is,but it is not goez lyk that,but me i can award al of u about my LOVE, my RESPECT and DIGNITY and my SURPPORT at al the times and we can remember UJESU UYINGWE’MABALABALA in his name he brought us joy and make this world a better place 4 us, he raized us with his name and he saved us with his blood hey we should take a good time to praize, worship and lift his name up to kwabangamazi kwelixesha asinike lona ngoba usisiphephelo, uluthando uyamangaza ngemisebenzi yakhe UYANDIJABULISA MINA ndiyamazi ndiphila naye and am not ashamed about his name =wonderfuk DR REBECCA MALOPE amazwi akho ngo THIXO andibonisa brightly indlela eya kuye ndandikade ndikhonza amathole egolide, inyanga nenkwenkwezi sis KHOLEkA aftes ingonyama zifuna ukundidla bt waz never ubaba ndiyambonga wandikhipha bro SFISO nw ndifanel ndimculele ingoma esuka entliziyweni.0789015633
December 1st, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Congrats to the late Jay Hlongwane, May his soul rest in peace.
December 1st, 2009 at 3:36 pm
congradulations to all the winners but I think is about time for Winnie to get an award it won’t be a favour she deserve a win she has a very nice voice and her songs i like them, SAMA awards she didn’t get anything even this time no ke sono maan.
December 1st, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Tshidiso I complain too..why why why? some questions will remain unanswerd Tsidy.well indeed Magareth Motsage deserves the best female award…I thin Zodwa got a nicer voice too.The IPCC has been singing and doing well for more than twenty years but they cant win too,mara why? what about Solly Moholo,,why?.some questions will never be answered.
.anyway congrats to winners.congratulations!!
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Congratulations to all the winners Especially our Praise & Worship Team at Rhema South Family Church.
December 6th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Hey guys have you listened to Banele the best newcomer.iam talking about change. whooo! at last.
December 7th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Congrats to all who have won! However, I was not happy about the nominations. I think they were too biased, not involving all cultures. I fail to understand; why Kholeka, Lundi, Thembinkosi, Veliswa and even Lusanda were not nominated. I hope you don’t take this personal, but try to get my point here. I’m not saying those who have won, don’t deserve to win. In future I suggest or request that your nominations should be done by the Fans, because it is us fans who listen and buy the Gospel music. We (fans) should also get involved too. I thank you. Miss TZ.
December 7th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Thanks Thembisa Z u r right and I support you 100% and u r right,thanks! Its such a big concern….im in the same view with you,,where is Solly Moholo and the likes,,we should be involved I also think.the new Lebo tiisane where is she? and the award dont support the traditional groups such as Amadodana and the likes,,how can they compare Joyous with the IPCC and Amadodana,,NO Im smelling a rat. awards were too biased…I also support Magareth Motsage as the best female she is the best,thanks!!
December 7th, 2009 at 11:38 am
something was realy not going right there-I am not sure wht but something was not in the right way
Dube did not deserve the second Award given to him
December 7th, 2009 at 11:42 am
yes something there DVD…I think Dube deserves the lifetime award..but really something was not in the right way there really
December 7th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Hehe it’s not about singing only, it’s also seeking the face of God. You might be having a voice but if it’s not doing anything in somebody’s life then it’s amiss. All the people who won are the people who do music not for money but for the glory of god, if they do a project they are doing it to praise and worship God. then God himself will touch other people to stand and support the project, so that is how it is.
No cheating in the kingdom of God.
Yesterday we had a show with Pastor Benjamin Dube and Uche live in Botswana Francistown for the first time in history. He broke the record and to be the first south african gospel singer to be in Francistown. We really had a wonderful time with him.
December 7th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Guys I think you are right, public need to be involved in the nominations as well because an artist cannot be the best for me but be the best to someone else, so we need to be given a chance to voice out.
And also I think more categories need to be added on the Awards. We have people like Kholeka, Veliswa, Tsepiso, Winnie Mashaba and so on who are really working hard and touching people’s lives but their brands are not as big as the likes of Sipho Makhabane, Benjamin Dube, etc. I think we need to recognise and encourage these artists as well, to us they are the blessing.
But anyway to me anyone who brings a person closer to God is the winner and I am sure that God will reward that person in one way or another, I salute all the nominees. UNkulunkulu anibusise niqhubeke ningakhathali.
December 7th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
I lose my interest to to this called the awards, totally lost interest and i’m asking why the likes of sechaba, lundi, kholeka,winnie doesn’t appear, i think they take it personal,something was not right, lundi i think he deserve three awards, i quit to this awards.
December 7th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
hey, guys, here comes again the this gospel awards, it gives us hell,where is sechaba, lundi,lusanda,winnie, i think there is a human error in the category and biased i agree with khomotso. Congratulation to all winners.
December 7th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
YOU LEBSA! YOU ARE BEING HASH FOR NOTHING!!!
December 7th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
i support lebsa 100%
December 7th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Thanx Nomusa 4 telling me i watched the awards it was so amazing
December 9th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
hi everyone, let me just take this time to wish you a merry christmas and happy 2010. SA wish you double portion of the best as you will be hosting the 2010 World Cup. Botswana is on your side to prove to other countries that there so much potential in African countries more especially Southern Africa.
Please take care of yourselves as you will travelling and partying a lot over the festive seasons. Enjoy every moment with family members and freinds accross the country. I enjoyed reading all the comments and this is a great site for great people like you.
Love you all brothers and sisters and may the dear Lord be with you forever and ever in Jesus name. AMEN
K Botswana
December 9th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
all this things has time according to the bible ,and our turn will come lets not be in one line with people who have been long in the industry who have make their Mark .god will give u what u deserve when the time is rihgt.
December 9th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Hi dear Lerato,
Is your comment reffering to what i said above, my dear sweetness?
December 10th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Congra to all the winners,baninzi abamenyiweyo bambalwa abonyuliweyo.Thats what we must know,yo tern is coming make it sure you u are next.
IT WAS BEAUTIFUL GUYZ…..YHO
December 10th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
hi k
lerato
yes or no u realise an artist will do a song today and expect to be on stage with the big guys ,we need to understand that in life there are staages of life ,a career starts somewhere.We then start blaming and asking who was suppose to win when and where.forgeting that we are in a firts step too.God is still manufacturing our fame and fortune ,introducing us ko baengeleng ,rona re batla go jampa.Nako etla tla e Morwa modimo atla go segofasang ka yone se feleng pelo.
December 11th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Can we remember? That 22 of NOVEMBER 2009 waz the 2nd crown gospel awards not a JURGENMENT day No one cannot deserve any gift 4 his job. And i alwayz think their job is not just an easy job Especially they are spread the name of god to change our lives in the name of Jesus ( Oh’BABA BAXOLELE
December 11th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Yes Lungiswa u re right, it wasn’t a judgement day but ke as well all know “abantu abayi nganxanye bengemanzi”, pleople will always disagree, of which you can’t satisfy all of them. What we need to remember is that each one of these artists is touching some people’s lives thru Gospel music. Lets wait for next year, cross fingers and see. Hopefully I won’t be complaining next year, because with faith my artist would grab the award.
I’m just hoping that our comments have been considered and, if possible, changes are done to try and improve the show. But otherwise it was a superb idea from Zanele to celebrate the Gospel artists.
I wish you all a fabulous festive season, drive safely, uThixo anisikelele. Ngiyanithanda nonke.
December 14th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Ribs my dear i salut u! u a the best my dear qinisela phambili ungabisayiyeka lent’oyiphethesandleni i cnt wait 4 yr 31st albam wthout yr voice i cnt
December 15th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
sis RIBS wena usis khoko amazwi omculo wakho ayavakala, uyamdumisa uTHIXO kakuhle, mna andikhathazeki xa bethetha izinto ngawe kuba mna ndifumana lukhulu kuwe, uSOMANDLA yena aze akugcine akukhusele ezindleleni zakho kwaye nam andiyekanga ukuthandazela kuba kakade simele ukwenza njalo singabantwana bakaTHIXO. Ndiyakuthanda sis wam!!!
December 17th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Oh what a good album from Dr R Malope “My Hero this song reminds me of 1997 Sama winner Angingedwa, creativity goes a long way that is why you always win this awards now and then, you are a living legend may god bless you ,we dont want you to retire this is a call from god
December 24th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Hi guys,i think we should stop complaining coz everythn gud or bad hapens 4 a reason.
December 26th, 2009 at 6:48 am
Thats it pearl we should stop complaing, sishayaleni umsebenzi kankulunkulu izandla abantwana bakhe abawenzayo lo msebenzi omhle kangaka coz God he is been so good 2 us he died 4 us masikhumbuleni oko guyz silive ilizwi lakhe, and i hd a special thanks 2u cl c lok mna ayikh6 enye indawo ebephelela kuyo ngaphandle kwakhe nguye owazi inkinga zam REBS ei i dnt knw
January 1st, 2010 at 11:14 pm
Happy New year and congratulations 2 all da ppl who won in November, esp. Sfiso Ncwane i really like yo music lengoma ethi Phakama Nkosi yeZulu ingibusisa kakhulu.
January 20th, 2010 at 11:12 am
hello guys lets start to share stages a stop being selfish .contact me to send quatations to yuor company ,lerato NEW GOSPEL ARTIST IN BUSINESS .GOD WNAT U TO GROW THIS YEAR U CANNOT BE WHERE U WERE LAST YEAR . I ANA MOVING SO CAN U 2010 IS OUR YEAR GOD BLESS.0798344643.