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.

It is indeed great to see people from all the walks of life coming together to honor one of the artists that contributed to lifting Gospel music higher and higher.

It is no secret that Shuping is one artist that has won many hearts with his soul touching Gospel compositions. It was his God given singing talent that made him the talk of the town and amongst other things, a great Gospel artist.
On the 24th of Sept, those behind the awards organized a special prayer service which took place at the artist’s home in Pretoria, Attridgeville. Supporting one of their own, the service was attended by about twenty five gospel artists, including Solly Mahlangu, Zodwa, Tebs Davids, Reverend Nyembe and Rebecca Malope.
There is no doubt that such a special visit has put a smile on Shuping’s face. It is great to see artists supporting each other through thick and thin. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” – Romans 8:38-39.

Witten by: Eddie Hatitye

Dubbed ‘The Rebecca Malope Ebenezer Celebration’ the concert will get underway at The Jesus Dome Arena in Durban at 8 pm.

Malope, who boasts a collection of 12 South African Music Awards (Samas), two Kora Awards, and three Metro FM Music Awards, is considered by many to be a living legend.

She has also toured Israel, the United Kingdom and other parts of the world, performed at the State Theatre in Pretoria to cabinet ministers and other dignitaries in 1996, and last year was awarded the first ever, Lifetime Achiever Award in the inaugural SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards, organised by the World Gospel Power House committee.

For more information about The Rebecca Ebenezer Celebration, call Zama Mkhize on 074 893 4304 or 078 692 1492 or send an e-mail to zama@mirrorpr.co.za.

Alternatively, call Wendy Sithole on 072 232 2252 or e-mail wendy@mirrorpr.co.za

Tickets also available at Computicket.