Praises were high and the room turned electric.
Sunday worship session came early in the week at the Wanderers Club in Sandton.
What was only meant to be the official launch of the 16th annual Crown Gospel Music Awards turned into a celebration and an opportunity to give glory.
Opened with a prayer led by Bishop Mpendulo Nkambule, husband to founder of the awards Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule, the launch boasted the performances of Puleng March and Dr Tumi.
Gospel music giants such as Dr Lindelani Mkhize, Dr Rebecca Malope and Sipho Makhabane were in attendance of the auspicious gathering.
Initially, energies were high because for the first time since their inception, the awards are going to be held in Johannesburg this year.
Ascending the stage in a purple dress to officially make this announcement, Zanele called upon back-up singers to sing ‘O we Thembekile (He who is faithful)’ alongside her.
Read More | DRUM Top 50 Inspiring Women | Crown Awards founder & Ukhozi presenter Zanele Mbokazi forged in fire
Starting by expressing her gratitude and honour, she says “This is indeed the day that the Lord has made, and we shall rejoice and be glad in it.
“It was back in 2006 when I became pregnant with something that was more than just a good idea, but I always called it a God idea. I travelled to the US, I went there for the first time, I had seen on the internet that they were hosting the Dove awards. I flew all the way to America because I wanted to see. I had this idea, but I didn’t know how I was going to begin to do this, and I had not seen gospel awards anywhere, so I had to go on a mission,” she reflects on her journey.
She adds that nothing spoke to what she really wanted at the time even after seeking inspiration from Nigeria.
Gunning for what would speak to Zions, Apostolics; the kind of gospel that South Africans could call their own, the Ukhozi radio presenter says she overcame doors being shut in her face.
16 years later, she is glad that she didn’t give up on herself or listen to the negativity that surrounded her when she started.
“Delivering kingdom projects with excellence is our middle name,” she says proudly.
Addressing her team, she also says “I hope Gauteng sees that we are not here to play.”
All smiles, Dr Tumi took to the stage to express that even though the awards are a competition, gospel singers’ hearts including himself are not competing.
“When you start competing with your heart, unfortunately then you grow bitter when you lose.”
Read More | ‘This was a void I had suppressed’ – Zanele Mbokazi on missing the mic and return to Ukhozi FM
To him, the awards are more a celebration of their God-given gifts than anything.
In line with the provincial government’s commitment to host major events to stimulate the provincial economy, the Gauteng government has partnered with the awards to host this year under the theme of #ANewSeason.
“From the warm Indian Ocean to the land of the gold,” as Zanele would say.
After announcing that the government is only waiting for Zanele to sign on the dotted line to have the awards hosted in the province for seven consecutive years, the MEC for sports, arts, culture and recreation, Morakane Mosupyoe adds that “all the opening acts that will be performing on the day of the awards, we will be making sure that they are signed up with some of the music houses. We will make it our responsibility so that we give all these young people the opportunity.”
The awards are going to be held at Orlando stadium in Soweto on the Sunday of the 26th of November and nominations are officially open.
