Late gospel sensation Sfiso Ncwane has posthumously won the Gospel Song of the Decade at the SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards in Durban.
The red carpet event is an initiative of The World Gospel Powerhouse founders Zanele Mbokazi Nkambule and Bishop Mpendulo Nkambule.
Ncwane’s wife Ayanda who received the award, was moved to tears when she described the void he left last year.
“It’s a bitter sweet moment for me as the wife, I think for South Africa in general – we are celebrating a man who has worked so hard in the gospel industry and we are grateful that South Africans have decided to keep alive this ministry. So we are grateful to each and every person who has actually voted for this. It was voted by the public.”
Meanwhile, the main award for the evening, Best Artist of the Year was bagged by Butho Vuthela and the Best Song Of The Year went to the little known Sbongukwanda Nyangeni – with his song “Baba bangenise”.
An ecstatic Vuthela says their hard work has finally paid off.
“I have won the best artist awards 2017 SABC crown and I’m super excited. I’m highly favoured – I cannot find ways to express myself except thanking people who voted. We did many campaigns from Cape Town, Eastern Cape, KZN many people and radio station have supported us, God answered our hard work. Thank you to my wife and team.”
Ten years since the Awards started, founder Zanele Mbokazi Nkambule has reflected on the journey.
She says the event is empowering people by bringing together top gospel musicians, preachers, comedians and Christian poets from across South Africa.
Mbokazi says it all started as a dream.
“We are celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the SABC Crown Gospel music awards – we are excited to be here – you can see people are excited, it’s been ten years, and it’s a long journey. It was not easy but it was worth it and as one of the founders I salute the SABC and everyone else.”
