The Eswatini National Gospel Awards has introduced inclusive categories this year, expanding recognition across the gospel music scene and celebrating both artists and behind-the-scenes contributors.
The announcement was made during the nominee reveal event on Monday evening at Movie Zone Cinemas, The Gables, in Ezulwini.
The event attracted a diverse crowd, including representatives from the ministry of sports, culture and youth affairs, the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture (ENCAC), the Eswatini Gospel Music Association, artists, media personnel, industry stakeholders, and partners all gathered to celebrate gospel music’s vibrant community.
| Eswatini Observer WhatsApp Channel
Directing the proceedings was Eswatini Gospel Music Association Secretary and Public Relations Officer, Mhlonishwa Motsa, who emphasised the significance of the awards and their impact on artists.
“Tonight is not just about the artists at the forefront but about everyone who contributes to the beauty of gospel music. These new categories open doors for many who have long worked behind the scenes,” he said.
The spotlight shone on fresh categories never before included, such as Best Gospel Sound Engineer, Best Drummer, Best Bassist Player, Best Gospel Aux, Best Lead Guitar, Best Gospel Alto, Best Gospel Tenor, Best Gospel Soprano, and Best Gospel Radio/TV Program.
ENCAC Chief Executive Officer Stanley Dlamini, applauded the inclusion of technical categories.
“The technical categories have not been there all along, but we are grateful that today we have them. We are seeing guitarists, drummers, and sound engineers who we don’t normally see being acknowledged. They should indeed be celebrated, as they are the ones that make the music the quality that it is,” he remarked.
Motsa echoed these sentiments, highlighting inclusiveness in the new approach.
“The people who normally back up the main artists and harmonise to make the song more beautiful have been included in these National Awards. We applaud that move,” he stated.
Among the nominees benefiting from the expanded recognition is Phile Nkambule, nominated for both Best Bassist Player and Best Gospel Sound Engineer.
Nkambule expressed excitement and gratitude for being recognised in categories that spotlight behind-the-scenes contributors.
“It’s good to see the people who work in the background being celebrated. We put in so much work for the artists to come out and be seen as the people they are today,” he said.
Nkambule admitted that the nominations came as a pleasant surprise. “For a long time, I just believed in pushing the work with rewards to come later. This time around, I have no choice but to celebrate a bit through this nomination, which I think was God’s plan,” he added.
Eswatini Observer Press Reader | View Here
