admin“Mwana Wamambo” is competing for the award among other luminaries such as Patrick Duncan, Solly Mahlangu, Hlengiwe Mhlaba, Ambani Ramaru, Sfiso Ncwane, Bakhe Dlamini, Keke Phoofolo, Thobekile Mkhwanazi and Ntokozo Mbambo.
Besides “Mwana Wamambo”, Zimbabwe will be well represented with Mkhululi Sibanda, the South African-based Zimbabwean who is one of the performers at the awards ceremony.
Other performers include Makoma, Wole Awolola, Diana Hamilton, Royal Priesthood, Kelechi Ify, Emmy Kosgei, Atta Boafo and hosted by Rebecca.
Mkhululi, a former Idols East & Southern Africa finalist who is also a member of the famed South African group Joyous Celebration, will be performing as a solo act.
But for “Mwana Wamambo” the nomination came as a big surprise and he can’t wait for the awards.
“The nomination was a surprise and I am not sure which song but I suspect ‘Swedera Mudhuze’ which is on YouTube. We recorded that live at Bishop TD Jakes Church in Texas (Potters House),” he said.
He is currently on a tour of 11 states in America with his long-time ally Pastor Stanley Gwanzura better known as Pastor G.
“Yes, I brought Gee (Pastor G) with me. The tour has been hectic.We are always at the airport travelling from city to city. We are doing 11 states then Canada, from
Washington DC, North, Dallas, Atlanta, Columbus, Cincinatti, New York, Michigan, etc,” he said.
“Mwana Wamambo” said the tour was going on well for them and he was hoping to return home in August in time for the Michael W. Smith concert scheduled for August 26 in the Harare Gardens.
He, however, encouraged his music fans to vote for him on http://www.africagospelawards.com/. Voting ends on June 30.
The Africa Gospel Music Association was founded in 2009 to serve as the face and voice for the Africa gospel/Christian music community worldwide and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through Africa-fusion music of all styles.
It is by no means a competition but an event that honours and recognises some of Africa’s best talented and hardworking gospel artistes.
Other objectives include identifying and recognising hidden musical talents in order to give them mentorship and exposure.
The AGMA community consists of 8 000 members who include agents, artistes, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries.
Below are some of the categories and list of nominees:
Artiste of the Year — East Africa
1. Eko Dydda — Kenya
2. Emmy Kosgei — Kenya
3. Exodus — Uganda
4. Christina Shusho — Tanzania
5. Lam Lungwar — South Sudan
6. Sarah K — Kenya
7. Dawit Getachew — Ethiopia
8. Kambua — Kenya
9. Willie Paul — Kenya
10. Ann Marie Mutesi — Burundi
Artiste of the Year — Southern Africa
1. Patrick Duncan
2. Solly Mahlangu
3. Hlengiwe Mhlaba
4. Ambani Ramaru
5. Sfiso Ncwane
6. Bakhe Dlamini
7. Keke Phoofolo
8. Thobekile Mkhwanazi
9. Ntokozo Mbambo
10. Prince Mafukidze
Artiste of the Year — West Africa
1. Gifty Osei — Ghana
2. Skuulfoo — Ghana
3. Frank Edwards — Nigeria
4. Cwasi Oteng — Ghana
5. Tosin Martins — Nigeria
6. Eben —Nigeria
7. Evangelist Ben and Felicia Awabi — Cameroon
8. King Mensah — Togo
9. Atorise Lanre — Nigeria
10. Nii Okai-Ghana
11. Psalm Ebube — Nigeria
Artiste of the Year — Central Africa
1. Dena Mwana (Congo)
2. Anne Marie Mutesi (Burundi)
3. Eddy Mico (Rwanda)
4. Mike Kalambayi (Congo)
5. Alain Moloto (Congo)
6. Achalle (Cameroon)
7. Ngeh Loveline (Cameroon)
Artiste of the Year (Solo/Group) — US/Canada
1. Judah Tabernacle Choir
2. Anita Etta
3. Josephine Atanga
4. Yaw Osei-Owusu
5. Ike Wilson
6. Fred Obare
Album of the Year
1. Colours of Africa-Sonnie Badu — UK
2. Crown Him King-Israel Mosehla — South Africa
3. Blessing-Diana Hamilton (UK)
4. Ololo-Emmy Kosgei (Kenya)
5. Skuulfoo-Chapter 1 (Ghana)
6. Declaring his Name-Muyiwa and Riversongz (UK)
7. Overflo-Florocka (Akinwunmi Nathan Akiremi) (Nigeria)
8. Prophecy-Ohemaa Mercy (Ghana)
9. Mwamba Mwamba-Solly Mahlangu (South Africa))
10. I Believe – Rebecca (UK)
Song of the Year
1. Psalm 23-Eko Dydda (Kenya)
2. Siyabonga Jesu-Solly Mahlangu (South Africa)
3. Ololo–Emmy Kosgei (Kenya)
4. God Dey Bless Me-Cwesi Oteng (Ghana)
5. Only You be God-Muyiwa and Riversongz (UK)
6. Born Champion–DJ Gosporella ft. J. Clique (Nigeria)
7. Champions-Tim Godfrey (Nigeria)
8. Bless Somebody-Rebecca (UK)
9. Minku Meho-Celina Boateng (Ghana)
10. Arabaribiti–Sonnie Badu (UK)
Female Artiste of the Year
1. Emmy Kosgei — Kenya
2. Dena Mwana — Congo
3. Ntokozo Mbambo — South Africa
4. Rebecca — UK
5. Gifty Osei — Ghana
6. Kefee —Nigeria
7. Onos Ariyo—Nigeria
8. Diana Hamilton —UK
9. Christina Shusho –Tanzania
10. Lara George — Nigeria
Male Artiste of the Year
1. Solly Mahlangu — South Africa
2. Eko Dydda — Kenya
3. Frank Edwards — Nigeria
4. Daddy Owen — Kenya
5. Keke Phoofolo — South Africa
6. Joe Praise — Nigeria
7. Eben — Nigeria
8. Uche — South Africa
9. Allen Caiquo — UK
10. Aaaron T. Aaron — UK
Radio Programme of the Year
1. Gospel Sunday — Milele FM
2. Sunset Drive — Sunny FM
3. Indumiso — Ukozi FM
4. Gospel Train — Zimnet Radio
Gospel TV Presenter of the Year
1. Benita White
2. Praise Asemota
3. Shoggy Tosh
4. Sido Kasanda (SK)
5. Pastor Peter “Praisetek” Oyebobola
Group/Choir of the Year
1. Maximum Melodies — Kenya
2. Simply Chrysolite — South Africa
3. Makoma — Holland
4. Tim Godfrey and Extreme Crew-Nigeria
5. Skuulfoo — Ghana
6. Vining Ogu and This Experience Choir — Nigeria
7. Obert Mazivisa and the Trumpet Echoes
8. Sowetos Spiritual Singers — South Africa
9. Adawnage — Kenya
Online Reporter