THE Association of Gospel Music in Eswatini (AGME) has congratulated gospel superstar Nothando Hlophe on her win of the Best of Africa Award.
AGME General Secretary Mhlonishwa Motsa described the achievement as “a shining moment for the entire Eswatini gospel music fraternity,” highlighting the significance of her success beyond personal accolades.
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Motsa said Hlophe’s dedication, excellence and spiritual anointing have elevated the profile of the country’s gospel music on international stages, inspiring both established and emerging artists within the nation.
AGME praised her for lifting the country’s flag high and acknowledged the powerful inspiration she continues to provide.
“As the nation basks in the glow of Hlophe’s accomplishment, AGME invites gospel music lovers to celebrate at the upcoming National Gospel Music Awards this weekend at The Luke Commission. With Nothando leading multiple categories, the event promises to be a vibrant showcase of talent and faith,” he said.
Motsa emphasised the importance of unity in celebrating gospel music excellence, urging everyone to come together to support artists and uplift the name of Jesus through their powerful music.
Nothando makes history with prestigious Crown Gospel Award
GOSPEL sensation Nothando Hlophe has achieved a monumental milestone by winning the Best of Africa Gospel Artist Award at the 18th Crown Gospel Music Awards held on Sunday at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) in South Africa.
Hlophe beat other nominees: Sphiwo Ndoni, Tatenda Mahachi and Everton Mlalazi from Zimbabwe.
The landmark victory not only cemented her status as a leading figure in gospel music across the continent, but also brought immense pride to Eswatini, shining a spotlight on the nation’s vibrant musical talent.
Speaking after accepting her award, Hlophe expressed heartfelt gratitude to her supporters. “I just won Best Gospel of Africa, and I am so excited. This award is not just mine it belongs to Eswatini. Thank you for your prayers, your positive comments and for listening to our music. May God bless you all.”
Her emotional acceptance and powerful performance in a royal blue two-piece outfit captivated the audience, particularly as she delivered the hit Methodist Medley, prompting the crowd to sing and dance along enthusiastically.
Hlophe’s award-winning project, A New Dawn, has garnered widespread acclaim, with its standout track Methodist Medley amassing over one million views on YouTube and peaking at number 73 on the South Africa Spotify Daily Chart.
The album’s success is further underscored by the viral popularity of Babheka Kuye, which attracted half a million views within just four days of its release.
The album has been hailed as transformative, resonating deeply with audiences across Africa and inspiring countless personal testimonies about its impact on faith and spiritual renewal.
Hlophe’s achievement adds to her growing legacy following her remarkable triple win at the 2019 MTN SWAMA Awards, where she was honoured as female artist of the year, best gospel artist and secured song of the year for the song Yebo.
Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture CEO Stanley Dlamini said Hlophe’s international recognition was a testament to her exceptional talent and dedication. He stated that it marked a significant moment for the country’s gospel music scene on the global stage.
“Her achievement is a testament to the exceptional talent and dedication within our gospel music fraternity. Having previously showcased her skills with Spirit Quest, she’s proven once again that she’s a force to be reckoned with on the global stage. As ENCAC, we’re thrilled to see our programming and support for the arts demonstrating our sector’s readiness to compete meaningfully with the world. This achievement is a shining example of what can be accomplished and we couldn’t be prouder of her ground-breaking success.”
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