Female Artists Shine At The South African 18th Crown Gospel Awards Nominees

Durban — South Africa. Female Artists Shine At The South African 18th Crown Gospel Awards. Female gospel artists are leading the nominations at the 18th Crown Gospel Awards, taking the majority across 25 categories. The nominees were revealed at an elegant all-white event held on Friday, October 31, at The Stamford in Greyville, Durban.

The main ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at the Durban ICC Convention Centre. This year, organizers received a record-breaking 882 entries, with 125 nominees selected from all nine provinces of South Africa.

Rofhiwa Nethengwe, Head of Talent and Crown Awards executive, emphasized the diversity of the nominations. “These are truly national awards, with artists proudly representing their provinces,” she told Sunday World. Among the top contenders are gospel veterans Andile Ka Majola, Jabu Hlongwane, Kholeka, and Pastor Rudolf Mabasa.

The highly competitive Song of the Year category includes Kgaogelo Kekana, Jabu Hlongwane, Sihle Khumalo, Nontokozo Mkhize, Mmatema, and Sindi Ntombela.

This year marks the awards’ homecoming to Durban after seven years in Johannesburg. The return doubles as a heartfelt tribute to the late co-founder Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule, the beloved Ukhozi FM presenter who passed away in August 2024 after a battle with cancer.

“This year is deeply significant. The Crowns return to Durban without Zanele, and this move is a dedicated tribute to her enduring legacy,” Nethengwe said. “It’s our way of showing love to KwaZulu-Natal — we’re back home where it all began.”

Full List of Nominees

Best Gospel Producer Album

• Siyanqoba Mthethwa – Inevitable Jazz Edition (Gauteng)
• Lwazi – Umphetho-Sibonga Umusa by Jumbo (KZN)
• The Jesus Collective – Brandon “Bobby” George (RSA) & Asaph A Ward (USA) (Gauteng)
• Ntethe – Back to the Altar (Eastern Cape)

Best Male Gospel Artist

• Malusi Mbokazi – Udondolo (The Full Circle Revival) (KZN)
• Sibusiso Nzima – Sithembe Wena (Gratitude Album) (Gauteng)
• Mnqobi Nxumalo – All Powerful – The Pursuit II (Gauteng)
• Sbu Noah – Sidumisa Wena (Gauteng)

Best Female Gospel Artist

• Kgaogelo Kekana – Dikgoro (Limpopo)
• Siyanda Tshangana – Ulihlathi Lethu, Mabakudumise Abantu (Eastern Cape)
• Puleng March – Worship in Newness (Gauteng)
• Mmatema – Oa Ntwanela (Heart of Gratitude Album) (Gauteng)

Best A Cappella (Solo and Group)

• The Original Umlazi Gospel Choir – Lalela Indaba (KZN)
• Sakhiwe Group – Nkosi Ngamkele (KZN)
• Amadodana Ase Ntabazwe – Hamba Vangeli (KZN)
• JTG Gospel Choir – Morena Re Ya Leboga (Western Cape)

Best Gospel Album

• Mnqobi Nxumalo – All Powerful – The Pursuit II (Gauteng)
• The Jesus Collective – FLOW Vol.1 (Gauteng)
• Musa Yende – Sustained by Grace (Gauteng)
• Sindi Ntombela – The Watchman Camp (KZN)

Best iTende

• Sihle Khumalo – Okudalwe Mina (KZN)
• Omama Betende – Umelusi (Gauteng)
• Tebs David – Gideon – The Journey (Part 1) (Gauteng)
• Nomini Nyawose – iVangeli (KZN)

Classic of All Time

• Malusi Mbokazi – Udondolo (The Full Circle Revival) (KZN)
• Pastor Rudolf Mabasa – Ndi Tlakusela (Worship House) (Limpopo)
• Andile KaMajola – Ngendlala Indumiso (KZN)

Best Collaboration Gospel Song

• Soweto Central Chorus ft. Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Usuku Oluzayo (Gauteng)
• The Jesus Collective ft. Khaya Mthethwa – Angiyo (Gauteng)
• Gundo Nemukula ft. Ayanda Ntanzi – Ndi Mambo (Limpopo)
• Ntethe ft. Kholeka – Imithwalo Yethu (Back to the Altar) (Eastern Cape)
• Musa Yende ft. Brenden Praise – Amandla Amasha (Sustained by Grace) (Gauteng)
• Sbu Noah ft. Khuzani – Oh Nkosi Yami (Gauteng)

Best Rap Gospel (Solo or Group)

• AB Central – Njalo Njalo ft. Dr Dope, Nomakhuze Ndabula, Mneshmane BLR & Boyzin Bee (Gauteng)
• Adrae Jacobs – Divine (Stronger) (Gauteng)

Best Praise Song

• Kgaogelo Kekana – Dikgoro (Limpopo)
• Phindi P – UJehova Usekwenzile (KZN)
• The Living Rock Choir – Kea Monrata Jeso (Limpopo)
• Mmatema – Oa Ntwanela (Heart of Gratitude Album) (Gauteng)

Best Contemporary Song

• Stefan Green – Anything (Western Cape)
• Brenden Praise – God You Keep on Blessing Me (The Gift Vol.1) (Gauteng)
• The Jesus Collective ft. Xola Toto – Refreshing (Gauteng)
• Musa Yende – Sustained by Grace (Gauteng)

Best Clap and Tap

• Isaac & The Mighty Messengers – Ketla Tshepa Mang (Tlong Ho Jeso) (Gauteng)
• Resonance Vibrant Voices Gospel Choir – Dithabeng (Re Rata Ha Re Ka Bona) (Limpopo)
• The Harmony Singers Artist Development – Re A Ho Boka Morena (Gauteng)
• Temple Of God Artist Development – Jesu Ulidwala – Ore Nehe (Gauteng)

Best Gospel Live Event/Recording

• Mnqobi Nxumalo – All Powerful – The Pursuit II (Gauteng)
• Tshwane Gospel Choir – Harmony of Prayers (Gauteng)
• The Jesus Collective – FLOW Vol.1 (Gauteng)
• Khana Mhlongo – Ta Mbilu Yanga (Live at Covenant House) (Mpumalanga)

Best Worship Song

• Sibusiso Nzima – Sithembe Wena (Gratitude Album) (Gauteng)
• Ziyanda Tshangana – Ulihlathi Lethu, Mabakudumise Abantu (Eastern Cape)
• Mnqobi Nxumalo – All Powerful – The Pursuit II (Gauteng)
• Tebs David – Rorisa – The Journey (Part 1) (Gauteng)

Best Newcomer

• Sihle Khumalo – Okudalelwe Mina (KZN)
• Stefan Green – Anything (Western Cape)
• Gauteng Gospel Choir – Uyikho Konke (Single) (Gauteng)
• Musa Yende – Sustained by Grace (Gauteng)

Best Gospel Group

• Isaac & The Mighty Messengers – Ketla Tshepa Mang (Tlong Ho Jeso) (Gauteng)
• The Living Rock Choir – Munghana Wamina (Limpopo)
• Tshwane Gospel Choir – Harmony of Prayers (Gauteng)
• The Jesus Collective – FLOW Vol.1 (Gauteng)

Best Traditional Gospel

• Sindiswa Maseko – Umalusi Siyamazi (Gauteng)
• Gundo Nemukula – Ndi Mambo (Limpopo)
• Ntethe – Back to the Altar (Eastern Cape)
• Dumi Mkokstad – eGetsemane (KZN)

Best Ama-Zion (Solo or Group)

• Mercy of the Cross Ministries – Bavum’abantu (Psalms) (Gauteng)
• Amadodana Ekhaya Le-Zion – Mayibongwe Imvana (Khwezi Lakusasa) (Gauteng)
• House of Worship Bible Church – Sasingabezizwe (Incwadi Yomthetho) (Mpumalanga)
• Burning Fire Of God – Nkosi Yomusa (KZN)

Best Gospel Music Video

• EBMQ – Josefa (Eastern Cape)
• Canaan Nyathi – Biggie Biggie (Gauteng)
• Sibusiso Nzima – Sithembe Wena (Gratitude Album) (Gauteng)
• KINGDMUSIC – Jesus (Limpopo)

Best Songwriter

• KINGDMUSIC – Always On Time (Limpopo)
• Tebs David – Rorisa – The Journey (Part 1) (Gauteng)
• Mnqobi Nxumalo – All Powerful – The Pursuit II (Gauteng)
• Dumi Mkokstad – Asikho Isikhali (Spirit of Praise) (KZN)

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)

Best Song of the Year (Public Vote)

• Kgaogelo Kekana – Dikgoro (Limpopo)
• Jabu Hlongwane – Sihlezi Kahle (Gauteng)
• Sihle Khumalo – Okudalwe Mina (KZN)
• Nontokozo Mkhize – Esandleni (Eastern Cape)
• Mmatema – Oa Ntwanela (Heart of Gratitude Album) (Gauteng)
• Sindi Ntombela – Ulithemba Lethu (KZN)

Best Artist or Group of the Year (Public Vote)

• Stefan Green – Anything (Western Cape)
• The Jesus Collective – FLOW Vol.1 (Gauteng)
• Andile KaMajola – Wasithanda Wasikhethela Kuye (KZN)
• Sindi Ntombela – The Watchman Camp (KZN)

Best Jazz Album

• L’wei Netshivhale – Mvula (Zwonaka) (Gauteng)
• Siyanqoba Mthethwa – Inevitable Jazz Edition (Gauteng)
• Malenas – Oil in My Lamp (Gauteng)

Best Community Radio Show/Presenter

• Thulane Sibiya – Emalahleni FM (Mpumalanga)
• TAMBO FM – TAMBO FM (Western Cape)

About The Author