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Expo new to gospel awards

Zanele Mbokazi Nkambule the organiser of the Crown Gospel Awards. Pic: TEBOGO LETSIE
Zanele Mbokazi Nkambule the organiser of the Crown Gospel Awards. Pic: TEBOGO LETSIE

The Crown Gospel Awards announced the Christian Africa Expo, their newest addition, yesterday.

The inaugural exhibition scheduled for November 25 to 27 will precede the awards ceremony.

Zanele Mbokazi, the founder of the awards, said the event has grown over the years and they listened to what their audience wanted.

The expo will showcase music, DVDs, books, clothing, financial fitness advice and food.

"There will even be a pop-up shop for people to buy clothes to [wear to] the awards on site."

The awards have also grown to include three new categories pushing the gongs up for grabs from 36 to 39.

The additions are Best Traditional Gospel Album, Best Gospel Jazz Song and Salt Awards. The latter, Mbokazi said, was aimed at honouring community builders making a difference and not musicians.

"We have seen tremendous growth and we have learned a lot from our travels to other gospel markets. We also find people from other countries coming to learn from us."

She said the awards have been streamlined from a marathon four-hour production to a slicker two hours, ideal for television broadcast.

"We deliver entertainment without losing the spiritual aspect so that the gospel person is still fulfilled at the end of the show."

Nomination for the awards opened yesterday, with September 30 the last day. The main event will be held on November 27 at Durban's ICC.

 

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