THE National Gospel Music Awards has received a wonderful response to its call for nominees, with over 300 artists from all the regions of the country submitting entries.
With the deadline set for today, the awards committee confirmed there will be no extension. The Hhohho region leads the pack in entries, followed by Manzini, Shiselweni, and Lubombo.
“This is history in the making, with gospel artists from all walks of life and at every level coming out to join the awards,” said Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) CEO Stanley Dlamini.
“The list is interesting, with some artists entering over 12 categories per person. This shows how much they trust their brand.”
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Some of the categories include Best Gospel Female Artist, Best Gospel Male Artist, Best Gospel Artist, Best Gospel Song of the Year, Best Gospel Album, and Best Zion Artist/Group, to mention a few.
The awards, which aim to celebrate and uplift Eswatini’s gospel music industry, also create meaningful opportunities for artists.
The winner of the Newcomer category will receive a fully paid two-week tour to the United States of America (USA), while other winners will have the chance to be part of the renowned Joyous Celebration experience.
“We are changing the game, creating a purpose for the awards, as it is important to have a programme with clear key performance indicators,” stated Dlamini.
National Gospel Music Awards Chairperson Nathi Mhlanga echoed similar sentiments.
“We want gospel artists to note that we will not be extending the call. We have received an excellent number of entries, and based on the talent we’ve seen, we have a great show ahead of us.”
After the deadline today, the awards committee said they would spend two weeks finalising the list of nominees.
“The official list will be revealed in two weeks, and the voting process will begin.”
The National Gospel Music Awards Spokesperson, Nathi Makhabane, explained that the voting process would be a balanced approach, considering both the views of the judges and the public.
“This will be an interesting season for the Eswatini gospel artists,” said Makhabane.
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