THE organisers of the recently held seventh edition of the SABC Crown Gospel Awards held on Sunday in Durban have announced their mission to bring the awards across the Limpopo.
SILENCE CHARUMBIRA IN DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA
This, according to the chief executive officer of the awards, Sipho Kaleni, should be happening in the first quarter of 2015.
Kaleni told NewsDay this week the Zimbabwean event would serve as the launch of the continental version of the awards.
“We plan to take the awards further up. The launch will be in Sadc, Zimbabwe. We are speaking to three countries already for participation,” Kaleni said.
“Nigerian artiste Sanny expressed the same feeling.”
The Zimbabwean arts landscape appears to be miles behind in as much as events like awards and gigs and general management while the talent and artistry remains top-notch.
An event like the Crown Gospel Awards would go a long way in shaping visions of a lot of artistes in the country and fellow events and awards organisers.
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Kaleni said over the seven years they have realised it takes time to perfect the craft.
He said realising the importance of handing over the baton had been pivotal in creating continuity for the awards.
“When we started seven years ago we had names like Benjamin Dube, but as you may have noticed at this year’s awards, it was the younger artistes that are taking over,” Kaleni said.
“It shows that we are not stagnant as a country and as a creative sector there is growth.”
Kaleni said it is never easy to hold gospel awards.
“But we have learnt God takes care of His own. When He gives you a vision He makes a provision. That we have grown over the seven years means we need more money to do so,” he said.
The CEO said artistes had also learnt the importance of quality and were now taking issues seriously.
He said on the continental awards, part of their vision is to see excellence.
On funding, Kaleni said so far they have been funded mainly by the government, through the KwaZulu-Natal provincial office, Ethekwini Municipality through its various departments as well as other efforts by different individual institutions and the media.
“When we started funding was also not there. But when you invest the little resources you have other stakeholders will also come on board,” said Kaleni.
“If you are that serious about your dream you need to plant the first seed. Others will then say you have made the first move.
“Most of us do not want to make the leap of faith. It is just like paying lobola. You literally close the bank and pay the dowries.
“Believe in your dream and invest in it.”
He said they intend to expose the talent that is out there as well as retain that which is already uo there.
“That is one of the initiatives of the continental awards,” he said.
Kaleni conceded, however, that the continental mission would be a bigger challenge.
He said it is easier to hold awards in one country because organisers can approach the government and other stakeholders telling them how their people will benefit as opposed to a whole continent.
“We are hoping to come up with partnerships for example how the World Cup works ri the African Union,” he said.
“Our president Zanele Mbokazi has some contacts in many countrues that should be able to make this happen.
“It looks scary from outside but what we have achieved in the last seven years is scary. Last year we were the first ever gospel awards to be broadcast live on the continent and that can only mean one thing.
“SABC conceded we were trending on social networks during the event and their ratings shot up.”
He said he hoped the awards would get enough support from across the continent as there has always been submissions from countries like Zimbabwe, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Mozambique and Ghana among others.
“Even foreign media is always here for instance we had journalists from Maputo, Swaziland, Nigeria and of course Zimbabwe. People are taking the brand seriously,” he said.
Mbokazi said she will be travelling to Zimbabwe in next week to start work on the forthcoming event.
“This will be something bigger for the continent to be launched in Zimbabwe next year. I am coming to Zimbabwe next week,” she said.
The SABC Crown Gospel Awards were held at a glamorous event at the Durban ICC on Sunday evening.
The event oozed with proof of great planning and organisation from the red carpet where celebrities were dropped off by limousines showcasing their exquisite attires.
Interestingly, Zimbabwean Thembani Mubochwa was one of the main designers for the red carpet dressing several artistes and officials that included Kaleni who was easily one of the most elegantly dressed men at the event.
Mubochwa said the organisation of the event each year has helped him grow as the standards set each year present a new challenge for the next year.
