Gospel singer Teboho Moloi lost yet again to one of his favourite gospel musicians Dumi Makokstad at this year’s Crown Gospel Awards held at The Station in Durban.
While the Kestell-born gospel singer has chosen to remain mum on his loss to one of his idols, fans have not, accusing the awards of being rigged.
Flighted on SABC2, Makokstad was named the Best Gospel Artists of the Year, beating legendary Hlengiwe Mhlaba and Moloi to it.
Fans immediately flooded social media to express their disappointment in the announcement, with some stating the awards should be changed to ‘Makokstad awards’.
“Artists should stop participating in these awards honestly. We can’t be having one person winning every single time. Hlengiwe or Teboho should have taken this one. It’s not fair,” Lele Monyani wrote.
Thabo Moleko said, “For me, it’s not a matter of being from the Free State but I feel Teboho should have taken this one. This is daylight robbery and I for one am sick of it.”
Last year, Moloi lost to Takie Ndou in the category of Best Male Gospel artists which also saw fans strongly condemning the decision as they felt Sbu Noah should have won, creating yet another controversy.
Unlike others who’ve kept mum despite their dissatisfaction with the outcome, controversial Afro-Pop and Gospel singer Kelly Khumalo took to social media to express her discontent with the event organisers and judges of the annual awards.
She also demanded to know if her fans had voted for her.
Khumalo asked: “Beloveds, did you vote for me?” In a video clip posted on her Instagram page, the star is heard questioning why fellow gospel star Canaan Nyathi won instead of her.
Nyathi was crowned the winner of the Best Gospel Song Award for his single ‘Baba Ziveze’, much to Khumalo’s dismay.
The competition was stiff as Nyathi was up against Tshwane Gospel Choir for ‘Imvuselelo’, Vusi Nova and Dumi Mkokstad with their hit single ‘Yibanathi’ and Khumalo featuring gospel sensation Hlengiwe Mhlaba, for ‘Esiphambanweni’.
“I know…I’m going to come across as a sore loser and, at this point, I don’t care. Can someone please balance me ‘Esiphambanweni’ versus ‘Baba Ziveze?”
“Let the followers speak, let the chat, the airplay, the Youtube views, speak.
“They are deceiving us fellow Christians. Where shall we go if we can’t even turn to church because that’s where we expect the truth,” said Khumalo.
Fans echoed her sentiments, with many saying they were equally shocked that Nyathi won over her.
“Brown envelopes were involved. The fans voted,” said Kat Tshabalala.
Brian Monamodu wrote ‘Baba ziveze’ is a beautiful song. But truth be told it can’t be compared to ‘Esiphambanweni’. Those awards must just be cancelled. We’ve been complaining for years now.”
Other winners included Puleng March who took Best Female Gospel Artist award. Tshwane Gospel Choir walked away with the Best Gospel Group Award.
Singer Bucy Radebe, who was nominated in four categories, won Best Newcomer of the Year.
Late gospel singer and music producer Neyi Zimu who died in December last year after a struggle with cancer won Best Gospel Producer for the project Women in Praise Volume 5, while the Best Male Artist award went to Sbu Banda.
Contemporary gospel music legend Benjamin Dube won Best Gospel DVD Award, while Go Explo won Best Gospel Album.
Joyous of God took Best Gospel Amazion and Best Gospel TV Show went to Sunday Spirit.
