Canaan Nyathi scoops the best gospel artiste award at the Crown Gospel Music
Zimbabwean gospel musician Canaan Nyathi has made history by becoming the first foreign artiste to win the best gospel artiste of the year award at the prestigious Crown Gospel Music Awards in South Africa. The awards, which were held on Sunday in Johannesburg, celebrate excellence and innovation in the gospel music industry across the continent and beyond.
Nyathi, who is based in Bulawayo, beat other nominees from South Africa, Nigeria, Botswana and Swaziland to clinch the coveted prize with his song Baba Ziveze, which has over 3.6 million views on YouTube. He also received 13 880 votes from the public, making his category the second most voted for, according to the awards spokesperson Glodine Makapela.
Nyathi expressed his gratitude and joy for the recognition, saying it was a dream come true. “I am humbled and honored by this award. It is a testimony of God’s grace and favor upon my life and ministry. I thank all my fans, supporters and family for voting for me and believing in me. This is not only for me, but for Zimbabwe and the gospel music fraternity at large,” he said.
The Crown Gospel Music Awards, which are in their 16th edition, are the brainchild of Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule, a renowned gospel music promoter and producer. The awards aim to acknowledge and celebrate gospel artistes who have made an impact in the genre and spread the message of hope and faith through their music.
The awards ceremony, which was a sold-out event, featured stellar performances by some of the leading gospel artistes in Africa, such as Xolly Mcwango, Ntokozo Ngongoma, Jumbo Nyangiwe, Nathi Sithole, Sipho Ngwenya, The Tshwane Gospel Choir and DJ Happy Girl, among others. The event also attracted celebrities, dignitaries and media personalities, who graced the gold carpet and presented awards to the winners.
Among the notable guests were legendary Lindelani Mkhize, gospel music icon Rebecca Malope and Apostle Felix Okoh, who all hailed the event organizers for a job well done. Masibuyele kuJehova, a group of elderly women who have been in the music industry for 35 years, was honored with the Lifetime achievement award. The group was overwhelmed and broke into a worship song.
According to a report by Newsday Zimbabwe, Nyathi, who is also a pastor and a motivational speaker, said he was looking forward to collaborating with other gospel artistes from across the continent and beyond, and to continue spreading the gospel through his music. He said he was inspired by the likes of Benjamin Dube, Joyous Celebration and Kirk Franklin, among others.
Nyathi’s award is an evidence to the growing influence and popularity of Zimbabwean gospel music in the region and the world.
