After a successful 15 years of awarding Gospel artists for their contribution, the country's most prestigious Crown Gospel Music Awards have been moved from its long-time vibrant, fan-filled home of Durban to Johannesburg in Gauteng. Organiser and co-founder Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule says this move represents an exciting new chapter for the awards and offers a wealth of opportunities for both the awards and the province of Gauteng. "A new dawn is upon us," she addresses a room filled with supporters, Zanele says this is only the beginning of bigger things to come.
MOVING CITIES
Fans and followers of the awards have shared their reluctance about having the ceremony in Gauteng. Amanda Njilo who has attended the awards as a fan says she will miss the excitement in the city. "The first time I went to the awards, my sister and I only had enough money for a taxi. We stood outside of the venue for hours screaming and taking pictures with our favourite celebrities," she says. "After the red carpet, we went home to watch the ceremony. We will miss that. But maybe, we will save up and go to Johannesburg to support," she says. Nhlamulo Sibeko says he does not think moving the awards to Gauteng is a good idea. "Everything is in Joburg. KZN doesn't have much. The awards were okay at home." Zanele has somehow assured fans that "Not much will change. But we are growing and developing new relationships,". For the next seven years, the awards will be supported by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.
FOLLOWING THE DREAM
The Crown Gospel Music Awards were established in 2008 with the aim to celebrate the best in Gospel music in South Africa. Looking back at how far the awards have come, the author, businesswoman and motivational speaker says, they started the awards with no funding. "We had nothing. Sis Rebecca Malope was there and was the only performer," she says. "We didn't have a cent but we were armed with faith. The Crowns have been about faith. We have had many reasons to give up and close shop. It's been hard, but over the past 15 years, we knew that the assignment was bigger than us. This is not something ka Zanele, it's bigger than all of us," she adds.
