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Langalakhe Mabena
South Africa-based Zimbabwean gospel musician Canaan Nyathi is stunned after being nominated in three categories of the prestigious Sabc Crown Gospel Awards.

His hit song Baba Ziveze is nominated for Best Gospel Song of the Year alongside Bucy Radebe’s Uzuyigcin’Impilo Yam; Esphambanweni by Kelly Khumalo featuring Dr Hlengiwe Mhlaba; Xolisa Kwinana’s Uyasondla and Yibanathi by Vusi Nova featuring Dumi Mkokstad.

For Best Gospel Artiste of the Year, Nyathi will be locking horns with his best friend Dumi Mkokstad, Dr Hlengiwe Mhlaba and Tebogo Moloi.

He is also nominated for best Engineered Album courtesy of his 2019 live DVD recording; Another Level of Grace Upon Grace.

Speaking from his base in Johannesburg, Nyathi who has performed alongside the likes of Ayanda Ntanzi, the late Neyi Zimu and Dr Tumi, revealed that he still cannot believe the nominations. He said it is all God’s grace for him to receive such an honour adding that the Baba Ziveze song has become a fulfilled testimony.

“I’m honestly surprised by the nominations. It’s like coming from nothing to a level where your name is called among the greatest gospel musicians in Africa. This is all God’s doing. I called Him in my life and He is continuing to bless me abundantly,” said Nyathi.

As he is nominated with Mkokstad in two categories clashing, Nyathi said he is grateful for the challenge.

“Dumi is one of the closest people in my life. He has become my partner in doing music so being nominated with him twice is a sign that the works we put out are visible.

“The awards are going to be interesting as the nominations are tight. We’re on the same zone with the likes of Kelly Khumalo and Dr Hlengiwe Mhlaba, a confirmation that the awards are dynamic and there’s no room for predictions.”

Also nominated from Zimbabwe is Ndimi hit-maker, Janet Manyowa in the Best of Africa Gospel category for her Ndimi hit. Commenting on this honour, Manyowa who has been consistently putting a lot of work into her craft, said she was amazed by the nomination.

“I’m totally amazed. Mwari anoshamisa!,” simply commented Manyowa.

Manyowa is up against Nigerian David Dayo’s Do you know my God, Swaziland’s Thabile Myeni’s Sizobizwa Masinyane and Heal our land by Heal Africa.

With events and small gatherings being allowed in South Africa as they are on lockdown stage one, Crown Gospel Awards founder Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule revealed that the awards will be a hybrid event as some of the elements will be pre-recorded.

“We have decided to host this year’s edition of the awards on 29 November in Durban. Because of Covid-19 and its restrictions, the awards will be broadcast live on TV with some of the visuals pre-recorded.

Below is the full list of nominees:

Best Newcomer
Nathi Sithole – ‘Ungikhumbule’
Tshilidzi M Gospel – ‘Yesu Ndah Ya Judah’
Sanele Mtolo – ‘Calvary’
Keneiloe Hope – ‘Mbize’
Bucy Radebe – ‘Spiritual Encounter’
Zinzi Kahnish – ‘Church Girl’

Best Gospel Produced Album
Women In Praise Vol. 5 – Neyi Zimu
Spiritual Encounter – Thapelo Thoboke
Glory In His Presence – Benjamin Dube
Moya – Paul K

Best of Africa Gospel
‘Do You Know My God’ – David Dayo (Nigeria)
‘Sizobizwa Masinyane’ – Thabile Myeni (Swaziland)
‘Ndimi’ – Janet Manyowa (Zimbabwe)
‘Heal Our Land’ – Heal Africa

Best Gospel Jazz Song
‘Agape Love’ – A2J Family
‘I Worship You’ – Nano Makhathini
‘Whose Am I’ – Wandile Nkambule

Best Male Gospel Artist
Teboho Moloi
Thinah Zungu
Dumi Mkokstad
Sbu Banda
Benjamin Dube

Best Engineer
Wesley Neil – ‘We Give You the Glory (90 Voices Mass Choir Project)’
Tshilidzi M Gospel – ‘Yesu Ndau Ya Judah’ (Tshilidzi M Gospel)
Aaron Nkosi – ‘Another Level of Grace’ (Canaan Nyathi)

Best Clap and Tap
‘Moya Waka’ – Arising Stars
‘Jeso Rato La Hao’ – Balatedi Ba Morena
‘Jesu Kena Ho Nna’ – True Faith Gospel Choir

‘Molaetso’ – Temple of God

Best Choir Community Outreach by Artist/Group
True Faith Gospel Choir
Isethembiso Gospel Group
Butho Vuthela
Tshwane Gospel Choir
Patience Ntuli

Best Gospel Group
Tshwane Gospel Choir
Gospel Goes Classical
Women In Praise
Isethembiso Gospel Group

Best Female Gospel Artist
Keneilo Hope
Bucy Radebe
Puleng March
Precious GM

Best A Capella (Solo/Group)
Blessed Accapella Mbongeni – ‘Ujehova’
Bahlaka Ba Moea – ‘Abambonanga Ubaba’
God’s Grace Ministries – ‘Lord Have Mercy’
Jtg Gospel Choir – ‘Sithembe Wena Nkosi’

Best Gospel Classic of All Time
‘We Lift Him Higher’ – Bold Art
‘Kwanqab ‘Umusa’ – Thinah Zungu
‘Mahlo A Bona’ – Tshwane Gospel Choir
‘Sewakhile’ – Hlengiwe Mhlaba

Best Collaboration Gospel Song
‘Yahweh’ – Nqobile Mbandlwa ft. Thinah Zungu
‘Shall Not Prevail’ – Go Explo ft. Rofhiwa
‘Clay In The Porter’s Hands’ – Papa Ndu ft. Margaret Motsage
‘You Will Never Leave Me’ – Benjamin Dube ft. Khaya Mthethwa
‘Heal Our Land’ – Artist United

Best Worship Song
‘Abundance of Rain’ – Ncf Music
‘Thatha Naludumo’ – Hle Mandosi
‘Thou Art the One’ – Sbu Banda
‘He Is Still God’ – Bongi & Collin

Best Rap Gospel Rap (Solo/Group)
‘Rock of All Ages Master’ – Zinzi Kahnish
‘Back to You’ – A2j Family
‘Sacrifice’ – Larnelle Grobler
‘Umuhle’ – Millie B ft. Heavenly Son

Best Gospel DVD
Spiritual Encounter – Bucy Radebe
Glory In His Presence – Benjamin Dube
Live In Dbn – Isethembiso Thobeka
From Glory to Glory – Go Explo

Best Gospel Album
Buya Nkosi – Thinah Zungu
You Reign – Ncf Music
Women In Praise Vol. 5 – Women In Praise
From Glory To Glory – Go Explo

Best Contemporary Song
‘Wave After Wave’ – Gospel Goes Classical
‘I Call You Jesus’ – Lwazi Khuzwayo
‘Jude’ – A2j Family
‘Zihlanjiwe’ – Nano Makhathini
‘We Give You the Glory’ – 90 Voices Mass Choir

Best Traditional Gospel
‘Ungayeki Ukuthandaza’ – Dumi Mkokstad
‘Modimo Wa Tseba’ – Godfrey Mahlangu
‘Jeso Ke Sethakga’ – Shibu M

‘Osimulaho’ – Justice Neemah

Best Gospel Music Video
‘Church Girl’ – Zinzi Kahnish
‘Emmanuel’ – Darlene Rofhiwa
‘Keep On Pressing On’ – Andrew Madziba
‘He Is Still God’ – Bongi & Collin

Best Gospel Songwriter
Nathi Sithole – ‘Konke Kuhamba Kahle’
M-Siya – ‘Abantu Abazi (M-Siya)’
Torti Ama – ‘Njoku Jude (A2j Family)’
Thinah Zungu – ‘Ngaphandle Kokuthi (Spirit Of Praise 7)’

Best iTende
‘Moya Weqiniso’ – Bishop Ledwaba
‘Kuqaqeka Izibopho’ – Precious Gm
‘Nzunza Nawe Ungamthatha’ – Pastor Sebeh
‘Sibonga Icalvary’ – Lady Bishop

Best Praise Song
‘Siphakamisa Igama Lakho’ – Thumani Twabu
‘Ngozogiya’ – Obrey M
‘Ngubani Na’ – Women In Praise
‘Never Gonna’ – Stop Life Bearers

Best Gospel Amazion (Solo/Group)
‘Selifundiwe’ – The Holy Nazareth Ekukhanyeni ‘Indlebe Yakhe Iyakuzwa’ – Phumlani Nkosi
‘Izwi Esathenjiswa Lona’ – Joyous of God
‘Eyokumkhonza’ – Enyonini Mission
‘Your Name Is Calling’ – Abadumisi
Best Gospel Radio Show Commercial
Tsosoloso (Motsweding FM) – Brown Mosiapoa Mega Grace (Vuma 103 FM) – Phumlani Nkwanyana
Rosisang (Motsweding FM) – Brown Mosiapoa

Best Gospel Community Radio Show
Bokamoso Show (Madibeng FM) – Ernest Sabata Maleleka Injobo Ithungelwa Ebandla (Imbokodo 96.8 FM) – Thami Ntombela

Best Gospel Song
‘Uzuyigcin ‘Impilo Yam’ – Bucy Radebe
‘Esiphambanweni’ – Kelly Khumalo ft. Hlengiwe Mhlaba
‘Uyasondla Xolisa’ – Kwinana
‘Yibanathi’ – Vusi Nova ft. Dumi Mkokstad
‘Imvuselelo’ – Tshwane Gospel Choir
‘Baba Ziveze’ – Canaan Nyathi

Best Gospel Artist
Teboho Moloi
Hlengiwe Mhlaba
Dumi Mkokstad
Canaan Nyathi
Best Gospel TV Show
Sisemoyeni – Soweto TV
Hallelujah – Moja Love
Zion Reloaded 1 – KZNTV
According to The Bible – Soweto TV
Sunday Spirit – Moja Love