Africa-Press – Eswatini. NTETEZA Nemakhalanga, Nothando Dlamini, Spirit Quest and Neliswa Dlamini are leading with several nominations at the Eswatini Gospel Music Awards 2022.
This is according to the list of nominees which was revealed by the Association of Christian Artists in Eswatini (ACAESWA) team yesterday.
The voting process was opened on October 10 and closed at midnight on Saturday.
The nomination process was done through an automated electronic system which was created by Technosol Solutions and linked to the awards website and was free.
Artists, record labels, managers and fans were nominated through a link which detailed all 12 categories under public nomination.
EGMA Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mnqobi Tsabedze thanked gospel music lovers for the support displayed through nominating their favourite artists.
Tsabedze noted that the Best New Gospel Artist category received most nominations.
He said this was evident that the country was breeding new artists and the future of the industry was certain.
“We limited the nomination period to only 12 days and we received over 1 500 nomination votes. We were amazed at the way artists, their managers, labels and fans were participating throughout the process.
“It was a new model of nominating which was free and it proved to be the best. We shied away from the traditional SMS nomination because it was too costly for the artists and we are glad that they embraced the process. We want to thank ACAESWA for trusting RocSolid Records and Destiny Music in the deliverance of the awards and further encourage more companies to support the awards,” he said.
Expressed
Spirit Quest founder Bheki Khanyile said they were nominated under the best traditional gospel song, best mass choir and best album categories.
He expressed his excitement and thanked gospel music lovers for the recognition.
“It’s a great honour for us to be recognised as a group.
“We are grateful, especially because it comes with a great mileage for the group.
“As the group producer I’m also proud that what God has initiated through my ministry has got such recognition.
“There are many challenges, currently we are working on our fourth album and now we need to maintain the standard.
“As a group that comprises of young people this comes with great motivation that challenges us to take our art seriously and strive to do the best,” he said.
Nteteza Nemakhalanga, who has also been nominated under three categories, said he would be taking more awards in the next 20 years.
He said he was the king of ‘Skhalanga’.
“We are happy and grateful to have been nominated. We are the only choir that sings ‘Skhalanga’ and we will continue taking more awards,” he said.
Nteteza Nemakhalanga has been nominated under the best gospel song, best gospel artist/group and best Zion group categories.
This year’s awards are presented in collaboration with Swatini Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) under the theme ‘Ending Femicide’.
The awards will form part of a series of events planned by SWAGAA on the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
The nominees are also expected to record a theme song on GBV, which will also be performed on the night.
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