The pair’s traditional wedding will take place on January 22 at Mbokazi’s family home in Thornwood, Mariannhill and a white wedding will follow in three months.

Mbokazi and Nkambule met last year at a church seminar in Swaziland and engaged in the country in December last year. The engagement ceremony was attended by a host of celebrities including Ukhozi FM’s, Dudu Khoza and First Lady, Nompumelelo MaNtuli Zuma.

The God-fearing businesswoman is known for promoting the local gospel music sector. Over the years, Mbokazi has hosted numerous gospel-oriented radio and television shows, authored three acclaimed books and founded the prestigious Crown Gospel Awards.

Pastor Vusi Dube of the Ethekwini Community Church in Durban, who is the spokesperson for the wedding, says preparations for Mbokazi’s big day are going well. Dube says a date for the wedding will be announced soon.

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

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.

Hlungwani’s passing was described by his father, Pastor Phillip Hlungwani as shocking and painful.

He was also a songwriter and producer who lead the Miracle Valley Ministries in Polokwane and became well-known for his kindness and commitment to God. Those who were close to him described him as an understanding and humble person who would go out of his way to help others.

In the music industry, Hlungwani showed his impressive talent when he started releasing his own gospel music albums. It was through his talent that he got nominated for many South African music awards, including SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards.

Not only was the late involved in Gospel ministries, he also worked with many prominent music producers and artists including Maduvha Madima and house music Mothiba twin brothers, Revolution, who always featured him on their house gospel compositions.

Talking to the other half of Revolution, George, he said Hlungwani was one of the most talented people he had ever worked with. “Jay was a very upfront person, if he didn’t like something, he would say it right away.”

According to George, even words can’t explain the talent Hlungwani imbued. “He was a very humble individual, man of God and successful business man, he concludes.”

Hlungwani was buried in Limpopo Province, Giyani last Friday (06 November 2009). Even though it is not easy to accept that he is no longer with us, let’s cherish the brief time we were given to spend with him. This is a great loss and he will be sorely missed. Let his great music plays on so his soul may rest in peace…

Written by Phathu Ratshilumela

This year’s addition reflects the growth in the gospel sector with four new categories added namely: Best Maskandi, Best Pop-Rock, Best R&B /Rap Gospel and Best Engineer.

According to the President of World Gospel PowerHouse, Zanele Mbokazi, “These new categories were added following an outcry from the public and the gospel music artists.”

The 2009 awards will be held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban on the Sunday the 22^nd of November, 2009.

Iconic gospel musician, Rebecca Malope took home the Lifetime Achievement Award last year and looks set to give contenders another tough time this year following the release of her 30th album ‘My Hero’

Nominations opened on the 5th of August and will run until September 16, 2009. Nomination forms are available at www.cgma.co.za or by contacting 031-303-3520.

The categories are:

Best Male Gospel Artist

Best Female Gospel Artist

Best Newcomer

Best Acapella – open (solo-group)

Best Gospel Group

Best Album Contemporary: Traditional

Best Pop-Rock Gospel (solo- group)

Best Traditional Gospel (solo- group)

Best Choral Album

Best Maskandi Gospel Music (solo-group)

Best R&B-Rap Gospel (solo- group)

Best Praise & Worship

Best Gospel Instrumental (solo- roup)

Best AmaZion (solo-group)

Best Jazz (solo-group)

Best DVD

Best Selling Album

Classic of All Times

Best Engineer

Best Gospel Music Video Best Gospel Producer

Best Gospel Artist

Best Song Writer

Best Gospel Song