Season 5
Having a record number of entries this year (412), the World Gospel Powerhouse was delighted with this development and showcase of talent in the Gospel music industry.
The 5th SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards celebrated five years and was aiming for a bigger and better occasion. After many sleepless nights the judges finally managed to come up with finalists in 31 categories.
These finalists underwent further judging and 31 categories were awarded. The biggest award of the night went to Sipho "Big Fish" Makhabane for his giant strides in the gospel music industry, his nurturing spirit as well as exposing talent.
With the introduction of Best Community Outreach, Best Gospel Poetry and Best Collaboration categories, the level of the Crowns grew.
After the announcement of nominees, the public got to vote in six categories: Best Gospel Song, Best AmaZion, Best Gospel Artist, Best Gospel TV Show, Best Gospel Radio Show and Best Gospel Community Radio Show.
Though the event started about two hours behind schedule, an hour of intense praise and worship session set the tone for the evening, celebrating the richness of gospel music in South Africa.
2012 Winners
Best Gospel Classic of All Times
Avante - Qina
Worship House - Old Time Gospel
Andile Majola - uJesu uFanelwe
Hlengiwe Mhlaba - uJesu uYalalela
Best Gospel Songwriter
Thulani Shezi – You Sent Your Word (Joyous Celebration)
Nkanyiso Miya – Fana Nojobe (Nathi and Nkanyiso)
Fisani Masinga – Ngeke S'guqe (Reality 7)
Thina Zungu – Kwanqa'umusa (Thina Zungu)
Best Gospel Poetry
Excellent Cele - Can I Testify
Sibonelo Mbuthu - Isithombe Somshado
Vusumuzi Phakathi - The Testament of the Poet
Tswi
Best Gospel Rap
Themba Simelane (Hip Hop Priesthood) - Bitso la Ntante le Morena
Cjay - Jesus Freak
Sivuyile "Vovee" Batala - uJesu
Thabang Byl (Last Days Family) - Undisputed (He's Alive)
Best Gospel Accappella (Solo/Group)
Abanqobi
Ithimba le Afrika
Reality 7
Intune Music
Best Gospel Engineer
Mark Montgomery (for Karabo Mongatane - Your Royalty)
Don Joseph Stephen (for Don Joseph Stephen - Turn My Life Around)
Lwazi Mngomezulu (for Namaoti - Peninnah)
Khotso Mothapo (for Priscilla Mahamba - uJesu uMsindisi)
Best Collaboration Gospel Song
Nontando Ngcobo - Kwahlalwa Phansi (ft. Babo)
We Will Worship - City of God (ft. Kabelo Mabalane)
Redeemed - Brother Promise (ft. Various Artists)
Kgosi - Ke Na Le Modimo (ft. Fikile Mlomo)
Best Gospel Female
Ntokozo Mbambo
Veliswa Skeyi
Thobekile Mkhwanazi
Hlengiwe Mhlaba
Best Praise Album
James Okon - Mamba
Kgotso Makgalema - New Dawn
Nomusa Dhlomo - I'm Standing
Worship House - Project 9 Live in Soweto
Best Traditional Gospel
Ncandweni Christ Ambassadors - Selihlatshiwe iPasika
Veliswa Skeyi - uThixo uNakho
Pastor Ncanda - Endleleni
Worship House - Egolgotha/Calvary
Best Contemporary Album
Tumisang Makweya - Heart of the King
We Will Worship - The Movement Begins
Karabo Mongatane - Your Royalty
Redeemed - Brother Promise
Best Worship Album
Israel Mosehla - Kepha Ngale
Ntokozo Mbambo - iNxaniwe
Big Fish Worship Chapter 1
Worship House - True Worship 2012
Best Gospel Male
Israel Mosehla
Kekeletso Phofolo
Khotso Makgalema
Pastor Ncanda
Best Gospel Newcomer
Martin Phike - Man on a Mission
Thina Zungu - Wanqaba uMusa
We Will Worship - The Movement Begins
Tumisang Makweya - Heart of a King
Best Gospel R&B
Nathi Zungu - Without You
Tumisang Makweya - Heart of a King
Swazi (First Lady) Nkosi - Forever More
Martin Phike - uThando
Best Gospel Group
Avante
Ncandweni Christ Ambassadors
Abanqobi
Worship House
Best Community Outreach
True Faith Gospel Choir
Lebo Sekgobela
Tshwane Gospel Group
iSethembiso
Israel Mosehla
Best Gospel Producer
Jonathan Zion Hamilton for Karabo Mongatane
Sipho Makhabane for Big Fish Worship Chapter 1
Tumisang Makweya for Tumisang Makweya
Simphiwe for Reality 7 Best Gospel Song Writer
Thulani Shezi - You Sent Your Word (Joyous Celebration)
Nkanyiso Miya - Fana Nojobe (Nathi and Nkanyiso)
Fisani Masinga - Ngeke S'guqe (Reality 7)
Thina Zungu - Kwanqa'umusa (Thina Zungu)
Best Church Choir
Mayibongwe Nongqunga
Enyonini Mission
TACC National Gospel Choir
Holy Cross Choir
Best Gospel Music Video
Karabo Mongatane
Lebo Sekgobela
Bakhe Dlamini
Sibongile Sibeko
Best of Africa
James Okon
Nduduzo Matse
Freddy Whales
Mutumwema Hubert
Best Gospel DVD
Kekeletso Phoofolo
Lufuno Walter Dagada
Loyiso Bala
Kgotso Makgalema
Best Gospel Afrikaans
Duislig - Duisluig
In Verwondering - In Verwondering
Louis Britz - Psalm 2
Esti van Rooyen - Breek die Ruit
Best Gospel Jazz
Karabo Mongatane
Lebo Sekgobela
Peter Mabula
Wandile Nkosi
Best Gospel Song
Thina Zungu - Kwanqaba Umusa
Ntokozo Mbambo - Inxaniwe
Israel Mosehla - UyiNkosi
Kgotso Makgalema - Messiah
Best Gospel TV Show
Gospel Classics
It's Gospel Time
I Want to Sing Gospel
Big Up
TG 10
Spirit of Praise
1 Gospel Live
Best Gospel Radio Show
Ezomoya - Tru FM by Mandla Makhubalo
Iqonga Le-gospel - uMhlobo Wenene by Nomonde Vakalisa
Seza uMphefumlo - uMhlobo Wenene by Ntsikelelo Maphosa
Siyadvumisa - Ligwalagwala by Lungile Mhago
Indumiso uKhozi FM
Soul Sunday - iGagasi FM by Siya Mhlongo
Sacred Space - Metro FM by Thami Ngubeni
Best Community Gospel Radio Show
Midday Avenue - Imbokodo FM by Fundiswa "Teddy bear" Xaba
Gospel Tunes - Thetha FM by Lefa Phetho
The Refreshing Zone - Impact Radio by Romeo Mabasa
Asidumise - Kasie FM by Phumzile Mlangeni
Good Morning Holy Spirit - Alex FM by Sydney Tema
Sidumisa Inkosi - Mgungundlovu FM by Sipho Trevor Phoswa
Best Gospel Artist
Israel Mosehla
Veliswa Skeyi
Sipho Makhabane
Ntokozo Mbambo
Best AmaZion
Ukuphila KweGuardian - Amazulu Ayababaza
Pure Guardian - Umuntu Okholwayo
The New Galile Church of God - Ngenze Baba
Eternal Life Zion - Izwi Liyisikhali Sethu
Thulani Manana - Mina ngiyavuma
About the Awards
The Crown Gospel Music Awards are a platform to salute and award excellence in the Gospel Music Industry. The Awards are hosted annually with a spectacular event of music and dance.
Winners are given a symbolic crown used as a metaphor for the real crown that Gospel musicians hope to get at the end of their journey – in Heaven.
The Crown Gospel Music Awards concept is a brainchild of Zanele Mbokazi, founder and President of the World Gospel Powerhouse. The idea came about in 2006 and two years later the first ceremony was held in 2008, in the presence of thousands of gospel music loyalists.
After much deliberation, knocking on various doors and endless meetings, the concept of the Gospel Music Awards showed fruition. The name of the Awards had to be chosen. It could have been he SA Gospel Music Awards but the vision was to go beyond RSA borders. Then Reflections Gospel Awards also came up, but something was missing.
Crown Gospel Music Awards sounded aspirational and attainable. The Crown (Umqhele) signifies the ultimate award that will be adorned to all His servants in Heaven on the last day.
The idea was, and still is, to salute the sons and daughters in the gospel music industry under various categories. To date the Awards boasts more than 30 categories.
The winners are awarded a Crown, for their sterling contribution in the gospel music industry.