Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabhena, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Music from Zimbabwean gospel artistes continues to make an impact beyond the country’s borders, with Everton Mlalazi, Tatenda Mahachi, and Canaan Nyathi earning nominations at this year’s South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Crown Gospel Music Awards.
The prestigious awards, which celebrate excellence in gospel music across Africa, will take place on November 23 at the Durban International Convention Centre.
Mlalazi’s soul-stirring track Sewakhile and Mahachi’s heartfelt song Muri Mwari have both been nominated in the Best of Africa category. They will be competing against Swaziland’s Sphiwo Ndoni (Tive Temhlaba) and Nothando Hlophe (Sithumela Wena).
Meanwhile, Biggie Biggie by Canaan Nyathi has been nominated in the Best Gospel Music Video category. Other contenders in this category include Sibusiso Nzima (Sithembe Wena) and Gratitude Kingdom Music (Jesus).
Organisers of the event revealed that this year’s edition received a record-breaking 882 entries, underscoring the growing influence and reach of gospel music across the continent.
“We are ready. The countdown has begun,” said Nonjabulo Mdluli, one of the event organisers.
Below is the full list of the 2025 South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Crown Gospel Music Awards nominees:
1.Best Gospel Producer Album
Siyanqoba Mthethwa – Inevitable Jazz Edition
Lwazi – Umphetho-Sibonga Umusa by Jumbo
The Jesus Collective – Brandon ‘Bobby George (RSA) AND Asaph A Ward (USA)
Nthethe – Back To The Altar
2.Best Male Gospel Artist
Malusi Mbokazi – Udondolo, The Full Circle Revival
Sibusiso Nzima – Sithembe Wena, Gratitude Album
Mnqobi Nxumalo – All Powerful, The Pursuit II
Sbu Noah – Sidumisa Wena
3.Best Female Gospel Artist
Kgaogelo Kekana – Dikgoro
Siyanda Tshangana – Ulihlathi Lethu, Mabakudumise Abantu
Puleng March – Worship In Newsness
Mmatema – Oa Ntwanela, Heart of Gratitude
4.Best Acapella (solo and group)
The Original Umlazi Gospel Choir – Lalela Indaba
Sakhiwe Group – Nkosi Ngamkele, Nkosi Ngamkele
Amadodana Ase Ntabazwe – Hamba Vangeli, Hamba Vangeli
JTG Gospel Choie – Morena Re Ya Leboga, Morena Re Ya Leboga
5.Best Gospel Album
Mnqobi Nxumalo – All Powerful, The Pursuit II
The Jesus Collective – Flow Vol. 1
Musa Yende – Sustained By Grace
Sindi Ntombela – The Watchman Camp
6.Best iTende
Sihle Khumalo – Okudalwe Mina
Omama Betende – Umelusi
Tebs David – Gideon, The Journey Part 1
Nomini Nyawose – Ivangeli
7.Classic Of All Time
Malusi Mbokazi – Udondolo, The Full Circle Revival
Pastor Rudolf Mabasa – Ndzi Tlakusela (Worship House)
Andile kaMajola – Ngendlala Indumiso
8.Best Collaboration Gospel Song
Soweto Central Chorus featuring Black Mambazo – Usuku Oluzayo
The Jesus Collective – Angiyo, The Jesus Collective featuring Khaya Mthethwa
Gundo Nemukula featuring Ayanda Ntanzi – Ndi Mambo
Nthethe featuring Kholeka – Imithwalo Yethu, Back To The Altar
Musa Yende featuring Brenden Praise – Amandla Amasha, Sustained By Grace
Sbu Noah featuring Khuzani – Oh Nkosi Yami
9.Best Rap Gospel (solo or group)
AB Central – Njalo Njalo featuring Dr Dope, Nomakhuze Ndabula, Mneshmane BLR and Boyzin Bee
Adrae Jacobs – Divine, Stronger
10.Best Praise Song
Kgaogelo Kekana – Dikgoro
Phindi P – uJehova Usekwenzile
The Living Rock Choir – Best Praise: Kea Monrata Jeso
Mmatema – O a Ntwanela, Heart of Gratitude
11.Best Contemporary Song
Stefan Green – Anything
Brenden Praise – God You Keep On Blessing Me, The Gift Vol. 1
The Jesus Collective featuring Xola Toto – Refreshing
Musa Yende – Sustained By Grace
12.Best Clap and Trap
Isaac and The Mighty Messengers – Ketla Tshepa Mang, Tlong Ho Jeso
Resonance Vibrant Voices Gospel Choir – Dithabeng, Re Rata Ha Re Ka Bona
The Harmony Singers Artist Development – Re A Ho Boka Morena
Temple Of God Artist Development – Jesu Ulidwala
13.Best Gospel Live Event-Recording
Mnqobi Nxumalo – All Powerful, The Pursuit ||
Tshwane Gospel Choir – Harmony of Prayers
The Jesus Collective – FLOW Vol. 1
Khana Mhlongo – Ta Mbilu Yanga
14.Best Worship Song
Sibusiso Nzima – Sithembe Wena
Ziyanda Tshangana – Ulihlathi Lethu
Mnqobi Nxumalo – All Powerful
Tebs David – Rorisa
15.Best Newcomer
Sihle Khumalo – Okudalelwe Mina
Stefan Green – Anything
Gauteng Gospel Choir – Uyikho Konke
Musa Yende – Sustained By Grace
16.Best Gospel Group
Isaac and The Mighty Messengers – Ketla Tshepa Mang, Tlog Ho Jeso
The Living Rock Choir – Munghana Wamina
Tshwane Gospel Choir – Harmony of Prayers
The Jesus Collective – FLOW Vol. 1
17.Best Traditional Gospel
Sindiswa Maseko – Umalusi Siyamazi
Gundo Nemukula – Ndi Mambo
Ntethe – Back To The Altar
Dumi Mkokstad – eGetsemane
18.Best Ama-Zion (solo or group)
Mercy Of The Cross Ministries – Bavum’abantu
Amadodana Ekhaya Le-Zion – Mayibongwe Imvana and Khwezi Lakusasa
House of Worship Bible Church – Incwadi Yomthetho, Sasingabezizwe
Burning Fire Of God – Nkosi Yomusa
19.Best Gospel Music Video
EBMQ – Josefa
Canaan Nyathi – Biggie Biggie
Sibusiso Nzima – Sithembe Wena, Gratitude
Kingdmusic – Jesus
20.Best Songwriter
Kingdmusic – Always On Time
Tebs David – Rorisa, The Journey Part 1
Mnqobi Nxumalo – All Powerful, The Pursuit II
Dumi Mkokstad – Asikho Isikhali (Spirit of Praise)
21.Best of Africa
Tatenda Mahachi – Muri Mwari (You Are God) (Zimbabwe)
Everton Mlalazi – Sewakhile (Zimbabwe)
Sphiwo Ndoni – Tive Temhlaba (Eswatini)
Nothando Hlophe – Sithumela Wena (Eswatini)
22.Best Song of the Year (Public Vote)
Kgaogelo Kekana – Dikgoro
Jabu Hlongwane – Sihlezi Kahle
Sihle Khumalo – Okudalwe Mina
Nontokozo Mkhize – Esandleni
Mmatema – Oa Ntwanela, Heart of Graititude
Sindi Ntombela – Ulithemba Lethu
23.Best Artist or Group of the Year (voted for)
Stefan Green – Anything
The Jesus Collective – FLOW Vol. 1
Andile KaMajola – Wasithanda Wasikhethela Kuye
Sindi Ntombela – The Watchman Camp
24.Best Jazz Album
L’wei Netshivhale – Mvula, Zwonaka
Siyanqoba Mthethwa – Inevitable Jazz Edition
Malena – Oil In My Lamp
25Best Community Radio Show/Presenter
Thulani Sibiya – Emalahleni FM
Tambo FM – Tambo FM
