Crown gospel awards celebrate powerful women as star-studded nominees revealed

The excitement is building as the 18th Crown Gospel Awards officially revealed this year’s nominees during a glamorous all-white affair at The Stamford in Greyville, Durban.

The main celebration will take place on Sunday, 23 November 2025, at the Durban ICC Convention Centre, marking a much-anticipated homecoming for the prestigious event.

Organisers confirmed that 125 hopefuls made the final cut across 25 hotly contested categories, selected from a record-breaking 882 submissions, the highest number the awards have ever received.

Gospel heavyweights like Andile Ka Majola, Jabu Hlongwane, Kholeka, and Pastor Rudolf Mabasa feature among the standout nominees, securing their spots as industry pillars.

This year, women have clearly taken centre stage. From rising voices to seasoned icons, female gospel artists lead the pack, reinforcing their undeniable impact in ministry and music.

Among the fiercest showdowns will be the Song of the Year race, with Kgaogelo Kekana, Jabu Hlongwane, Sihle Khumalo, Nontokozo Mkhize, Mmatema, and Sindi Ntombela all vying for the honour.

Rofhiwa Nethengwe, Head of Talent and Crown Awards executive, expressed pride in how widely represented the nominees are this year: “They come from all nine provinces, and this shows that these are national Awards, and this is seen with different artists representing their provinces,” she told Sunday World.

The awards are also embracing a deeply emotional moment in their history.

After briefly moving to Johannesburg, the show returns to Durban, the birthplace of the Crowns, this time without its co-founder and visionary, Ukhozi FM broadcaster Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule, who sadly passed away in August 2024 following a cancer battle.

“This year marks a significant moment. The Crowns return to Durban without founder and visionary Zanele Mbokazi Nkambule. The return to Durban is a dedicated tribute to her legacy,” Nethengwe shared, adding that the comeback symbolizes love and gratitude to KwaZulu-Natal, “where it all started.”

Full List of Nominees:

Best Gospel Producer Album
Artist Name Song Province
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
Artist Name Song Province
Malusi Mbokazi Song Name: Udondolo
Album Title: The Full Circle Revival

KZN
Sibusiso Nzima Sithembe Wena from the Gratitude Album Gauteng
Mnqobi Nxumalo All Powerful – The Pursuit II Gauteng
Sbu Noah Sidumisa Wena Gauteng

Best Female Gospel Artist
Artist Name Song Province
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 Accapella (Solo and Group)
Artist Name Song Province Status
THE ORIGINAL UMLAZI GOSPEL CHIOR Lalela Indaba KZN
SAKHIWE GROUP Nkosi Ngamkele (Song)
Nkosi Ngamkele (Album tittle)

KZN
Amadodana Ase Ntabazwe Hamba Vangeli & Hamba Vangeli KZN
JTG Gospel Choir Morena Re Ya Leboga & Morena Re Ya Leboga Western Cape

Best Gospel Album
Artist Name Song Province Status
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
Artist Name Song Province Status
Sihle Khumalo Okudalwe Mina KZN
Omama betende Umelusi Gauteng
Tebs David Gideon – The Journey (Part 1) Gauteng
Nomini Nyawose Ivangeli KZN

Classic of All times
Artist Name Song Province Status
Malusi Mbokazi Song Name: Udondolo
Album Title: The Full Circle Revival

KZN
Pastor Rudolf Mabasa Ndi Tlakusela (Worship House) Limpopo
Andile KaMajola Ngendlala Indumiso KZN

Best Collaboration Gospel Song
Artist Name Song Province Status
Soweto Central Chorus ft Black Mambazo Usuku Oluzayo Gauteng
The Jesus Collective Angiyo – The Jesus Collective ft. Khaya Mthethwa Gauteng
Gundo Nemukula ft Ayanda Ntanzi Ndi Mambo Limpopo
Ntethe ft Kholeka Back to the Altar
Song: Imithwalo Yethu

Eastern Cape
Musa Yende ft Brenden Praise Sustained by Grace
Song: Amandla Amasha

Gauteng
Sbu Noah ft Khuzani Oh Nkosi Yami Gauteng

Best Rap Gospel (Solo or Group)
Artist Name Song Province Status
AB Central Njalo Njalo ft. Dr Dope, Nomakhuze Ndabula, Mneshmane BLR & Boyzin Bee Gauteng
Adrae Jacobs Divine (Album: Stronger) Gauteng

Best Praise Song
Artist Name Song Province Status
Kgaogelo Kekana Dikgoro Limpopo
Phindi P UJehova usekwenzile KZN
The Living Rock Choir Best praise: Kea monrata Jeso Limpopo
Mmatema Oa Ntwanela- Heart of Gratitude Album Gauteng

Best Contemporary Song
Artist Name Song Province Status
Stefan Green Anything Western Cape
Brenden Praise God you keep on Blessing me, The Gift Vol.1 Gauteng
The Jesus Collective Refreshing- The Jesus Collective ft Xola Toto Gauteng
Musa Yende Sustained by Grace Gauteng

Best Clap and Tap
Artist Name Song Province Status
ISAAC & THE MIGHTY MESSENGERS Tlong ho jeso album:
ketla tshepa mang

Gauteng
Resonance Vibrant Voices Gospel Choir Dithabeng ( Song) & Re Rata Ha Re Ka Bona ( Album) 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
Artist Name Song Province Status
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
Artist Name Song Province Status
Sibusiso Nzima Sithembe Wena from the 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 New Comer
Artist Name Song Province Status
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
Artist Name Song Province Status
ISAAC & THE MIGHTY MESSENGERS Tlong ho jeso album:
ketla tshepa mang

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
Artist Name Song Province Status
Sindiswa Maseko Umalusi SiyamaziI Gauteng
Gundo Nemukula Ndi Mambo Limpopo
Ntethe Back to the Altar Eastern Cape
Dumi Mkokstad eGetsemane KZN

Best Ama-Zion (solo or Group)
Artist Name Song Province Status
Mercy of the cross Ministries Bavum’abantu
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Album title: psalms

Gauteng
Amadodana Ekhaya Le-Zion Mayibongwe imvana & Khwezi Lakusasa Gauteng
House of worship bible church Song: Sasingabezizwe Album: Incwadi yomthetho Mpumalanga
Burning Fire Of God Nkosi Yomusa KZN

Best Gospel Music Video
Artist Name Song Province Status
EBMQ Josefa Eastern Cape
Canaan Nyathi Biggie Biggie Gauteng
Sibusiso Nzima Sithembe Wena from the Gratitude Album Gauteng
KINGDMUSIC Jesus Limpopo

Best Song Writer
Artist Name Song Province Status
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
Artist Name Song Province Status
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 (VOTED FOR)
Artist Name Song Province Status
Kgaogelo Kekana Dikgoro Limpopo
Jabu Hlongwane Sihlezi Kahle Gauteng
Sihle Khumalo Okudalwe Mina KZN Status
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 (VOTED FOR)
Artist Name Song Province Status
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
Artist Name Song Province Status
L’wei Netshivhale Song name: Mvula. / Album name: Zwonaka” Gauteng
Siyanqoba Mthethwa Inevitable Jazz edition Gauteng
Malenas Oil in my lamp Gauteng

Best Community Radio Show/ Presenter
Artist Name Station Province Status
Thulane Sibiya Emalahleni FM Mpumalanga
TAMBO FM TAMBO FM Western Cape