18th Crown Gospel Music Awards Return to Durban After 2 Years, To Honour Late Founder Zanele Mbokazi
- The 18th Crown Gospel Music Awards are returning home after two years of being hosted in Johannesburg
- This year's award ceremony will honour the late founder Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule, who passed away in August 2024
- Organisers of the event call this a milestone year, as there was a record-breaking number of entries
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Source: Getty Images
It will be a celebration of faith and music at the 18th annual Crown Gospel Music Awards.
Founded by the late broadcaster Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule, the award ceremony is returning home. After being hosted in Johannesburg for the past two years, the awards will take place in Durban.
Founded in 2008, the awards, which celebrate the gamechangers and chart toppers of 2024/5, will be held at the Durban International Convention Centre.
Honouring a legend
The official spokesperson for the ceremony, Pastor S'thembiso Mtshali, recognised Durban as the home of the awards.
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“We are excited to be back where it all began, and we call on the public to secure their seats early for what promises to be the biggest gospel gathering in Africa,” Mtshali lamented.
Attending the prestigious awards are singers, church leaders, music producers and music lovers at large. The team is working tirelessly to keep the late radio star's dream alive.
“This year will be a heartfelt tribute to her memory as we celebrate in her beloved city of Durban. We know she’s smiling down as we keep her dream alive.”
Tickets for the show are now on sale, and the nominees in their respective categories will be announced towards the end of October 2025.
Source: Getty Images
In 2024, the 17th edition of the ceremony was almost postponed as Mbokazi was making preparations for the show before she passed away.
Mbokazi was 52 years old when she lost her battle with lung cancer. She was buried on Saturday, 17 August, with her life being celebrated at the Durban International Convention Centre.
Bishop Nkambule celebrates late wife
Confirming her death, Nkambule penned a heartfelt message, dedicated to his wife, saying she fought hard.
"She is now absent from the body but present with the Lord. Rest in Power, my love. We shall meet in that glorious resurrection morning," he said. "My beautiful wife has transitioned to glory. She is now resting in God's presence. @mbokazizanele, my darling wife, has fought a good fight, finished her race and kept the faith and laid hold of the crown of life."
Mbokazi was given a presidential send-off, and her ceremony was attended by some recognisable faces in the media space.
Bishop Nkambule pays tribute to late wife
In a previous report from Briefly News, on their wedding anniversary, Nkambule bid farewell to Mbokazi, hailing her as his best friend who will be missed dearly.
He posted a few throwback photos to mark their love and unbreakable bond, and also another during their wedding ceremony, which took place on 20 August 2011 "Today is our 13th Wedding Anniversary. I love you still, my love. Till then."
Source: Briefly News
