BY NOSIPHO MABUZA
MBABANE – The build-up to the National Gospel Music Awards (NGMA) 2025 has officially begun with the announcement of the regional nominees from Manzini, Hhohho, Lubombo, and Shiselweni. These names form the foundation from which the judges will select the national nominees who will compete at the main event later this year.
According to the NGMA PRO, Nathi Makhabane, the shortlisted national list will be finalised in September, after which public voting lines will open to give gospel fans the opportunity to support their favourite artists.
Manzini Gospel Awards Categories
Best Gospel Female Artist
- Lucia Kate
- Gcebile Maseko
- Nelisiwe G. Mavuso (Nelly Siwela)
- Portia Praise
- Buhle Matsenjwa
- Nkambule Nomaswazi
Best Newcomer Artist of the Year
- Lucia Kate
- Gcebile Maseko
- Phila Mavuso
- Portia Praise
- Nkambule Nomaswazi
- Philani Gamedze (R4)
- Bulelwa Tshabalala
- Mlandvo Simanga Zwane
Best Gospel Producer
- Itende Worship Experience
- Wakhile Dludlu
Best Music Director
- Wakhile Dludlu
Best Gospel Male Artist
- Bongani Scara Maziya
- Ntokozo Dlamini
- Bulelwa Tshabalala
- Wandile Sithole
- Nkosingiphile Mazibuko
- Lenhle Zitha
Best Gospel Artist
- Phinda Mnisi
- Nelisiwe G. Mavuso (Nelly Siwela)
- Bongani Scara Maziya
- Ntokozo Dlamini
- Nkosiphile Mazibuko
- Temangweni Zwane
Best Gospel Song of the Year
- Phinda Mnisi
- Nelisiwe G. Mavuso
- Bongani Scara Maziya
- Sihlelelwe Vilane
- Ntokozo Dlamini
- Nkosingiphile Mazibuko
- Temangweni Zwane
Best Worship Song
- Phinda Mnisi
- Ntokozo Dlamini
- Bulelwa Tshabalala
- Nkosingiphile Mazibuko
- Temangweni Zwane
Best Siswati Song Writer
- Nelisiwe G. Mavuso (Nelly Siwela)
- Mhlonishwa Motsa
- Ntokozo Dlamini
- Temangweni Zwane
Best Gospel Tenor
- Khaya Dlamini
- Nkambule Noswazi
Best Praise Song
- Gcebile Maseko
- Nelisiwe G. Mavuso (Nelly Siwela)
- Mlandvo Simanga Zwane
Best Album
- Nelisiwe G. Mavuso (Nelly Siwela)
- Nkosingiphile Mazibuko
Best Zion Artist/Group
- Bongani Scara Maziya
Best Gospel Aux
- Wakhile Dludlu
Best Gospel Soprano
- Nontsikelelo Magongo (Ntsiky)
- Sphesihle Khumalo
Best Gospel Group/Choir
- Itende Worship Experience
Best Gospel Sound Engineer
- Sihlelelwe Vilane
Hhohho Gospel Awards Categories 2025
Best Gospel Female Artist
- Banele Dlamini
- Buhle Matsenjwa
- Shekinah Motsa
- Nothando Dlamini
Best Newcomer Artist of the Year
- Phinda Mnisi
- Lindwayinkhosi Mpila
- Millennium Mandlankhosi Dlamini
- Machawe Ntshangase
- Mancoba Mlandvo Vilane (Mihla Eswatini)
Best Gospel Producer
- Siya Maphanga
- Mancoba Mlandvo Vilane (Mihla Eswatini)
- Mphumelelo Mdluli
- Sibongokuhle Ngwenyama
- Mluleki Manyatsi
Best Music Director
- Siya Maphanga
- Mphumelelo Mdluli
- Sibongokuhle Ngwenyama (Sbongo)
- Mluleki Manyatsi
Best Gospel Male Artist
- Phinda Mnisi
- Fakazi Samuel
- Millennium Mandlenkhosi Dlamini
- Machawe Ntshangase
- Mcolisi Mhlanga
- Gift Vilakati
- Sebenele Gama
- Bonginkhosi Maphalala
Best Gospel Artist
- Phinda Mnisi
- Banele Dlamini
- Mcolisi Mhlanga
- Sebenele Gama
- Gift Vilakati
- Mphumelelo Mdluli
- Buhle Matsenjwa
- Nothando Hlophe
Best Gospel Song of the Year
- Phinda Mnisi
- Mcolisi Mhlanga
- Sebenele Gama
- Gift Vilakati
- Buhle Matsenjwa
- Shekinah Motsa
- Nothando Hlophe
Best Worship Song
- Phinda Mnisi
- Millennium Mandlenkhosi Dlamini
- Gift Vilakati
- Shekinah Motsa
Best Siswati Song Writer
- Machawe Ntshangase
- Sebenele Gama
- Gift Vilakati
- Nothando Dlamini
Best Gospel Tenor
- Mfanawenkhosi Dlamini (Wenkhosi)
- Mcondisi Maphalala
Best Praise Song
- Millennium Mandlenkhosi Dlamini (Marcasua)
- Mcolisi Mhlanga
- Sebenele Gama
- Gift Vilakati
- Buhle Matsenjwa
- Shekinah Motsa
- Nothando Dlamini
Best Album
- Sebenele Gama
Best Gospel Sound Engineer
- Phile Nkambule
Best Bassist Player
- Ndumiso Ayanda Mamba (Ndura)
Lubombo Gospel Awards Categories
Best Gospel Female Artist
- Phetsile Mamba
Best Newcomer Artist of the Year
- Snowethu Fakudze
Best Gospel Producer
- Armyboy Siwela (Prophet Armies)
- Wakhile Dludlu
Best Music Director
- Armyboy Siwela (Prophet Armies)
- Africa Musa Dlamini
Best Gospel Male Artist
- Mzayoni Tsabedze
- Fakazi Samuel
- Mphumelelo Gamedze
Best Gospel Artist
- Mzayoni Tsabedze
Best Gospel Song of the Year
- Mzayoni Tsabedze
- Africa Musa Dlamini
Best Worship Song
- Africa Musa Dlamini
Best Praise Song
- Africa Musa Dlamini & Lindo
- Mzayoni Tsabedze
Best Album
- Fakazi Samuel
Best Gospel Altor
- Mciniseli Tembe
Best Gospel Group/Choir
- Africa Musa Dlamini and Lindo
Shiselweni Gospel Awards Categories 2025
Best Gospel Female Artist
- Hlobsile Goodness Shongwe
- Hlobsile Shongwe
Best Newcomer Artist of the Year
- Mthobisi Msandi Motsa
- Siyabonga Vincent Mdluli (Siya Bayas)
- Bheki Sithole
- Khethakahle Simelane
- Goodness Hlobisile Shongwe
- Thembeka Sibandze
- Evangelical Church Ntshanini Praise Team
Best Gospel Male Artist
- Samkelo Kenny G
- Sambulo Khumalo
- Kholekile Magongo
- Sabelo Mthobisi Motsa
- Sphiwo Ndoni
Best Gospel Artist
- Samkelo Kenny G
- Sambulo Khumalo
- Kholekile Magongo
- Hlobisile Goodness Shongwe
- Sphiwo Ndoni
Best Gospel Song of the Year
- Samkelo Kenny G
- Kholeka Magongo
- Hlobisile Goodness Shongwe
Best Worship Song
- Kholeka Magongo
- Evangelical Church Ntshanini Praise Team
- Hlobsile Shongwe
Best Siswati Song Writer
- Goodness Hlobisile Shongwe
- Kholekile Magongo
- Evangelical Church Ntshanini Praise Team
- Sphiwo Ndoni
Best Gospel Tenor
- Mthobisi Msandi Motsa
Best Praise Song
- Mthobisi Msandi Motsa
- Mcolisi Mhlanga
- Evangelical Church Ntshanini Praise Team
- Sabelo Mthobisi Motsa
- Hlobsile Shongwe
Best Album
- Sambulo Khumalo
Best Gospel Group/Choir
- Evangelical Church Ntshanini Praise Team
With the nominees now announced, all eyes are on September, when the national shortlist will be unveiled and voting lines officially open. The National Gospel Music Awards will once again celebrate the spirit, creativity, and power of gospel music in Eswatini.
