03 Aug 2022

Boago Setiko, a newcomer in the Gospel music fraternity topped the Gospel Music Awards nominees last night at Molapo Showcase, nominated in six categories of the awards for her album Its Gonna be Alright.

Setiko’s nominations include Best Gospel Album of the Year, Best Female Gospel Artiste, Best Gospel Newcomer, Best Gospel Packaged Album, and Best Contemporary Gospel Album.

She also bagged Best Gospel Music Video for her song O lefika laaka.

Pastor Shinkie Mochawacha also did it for the gentlemen in Christ and bagged five nominations for his album Garment of Praise.

He was nominated for Best Gospel Song of the Year, Best Gospel Single, Best Gospel Collaboration, Best Gospel Music Video and Best Gospel Packaged Album with the song Moya Waka which features Omega Khunou.

“I am excited and grateful that my song Moya Waka dominated the nominations,” Mochawacha said.

He expressed gratitude to the Gospel Music Awards organisers for recognising Gospel artistes.

“I am also thankful to the Lord for his mercies and blessings,” he said.

Another Gospel sensation, Ezra Neethings of the Danko fame received three nominations for his hit single Danko for Best Gospel Song of the Year, Best Gospel Single and Best Gospel Collaboration.

When giving Gospel artistes a word of encouragement, Prophetess Maggie Mabechu cautioned them against following worldly trends and ‘squeeze fitting them into the spiritual world.’

She said Gospel artistes needed to be submissive to the Lord and be led by the spirit when they composed and produced their music.

Mabechu said the mistake Gospel artistes made was envying artistes who were not spirit-led.

She said Gospel artistes should not pursue fame, but rather use the grace given to them by God to produce music that would have an impact on the world.

“There is a great expectation on Gospel artistes to execute the Lord’s work through music,” said Mabechu, adding that, such was their only purpose.

However, she applauded upcoming artistes for their creativity and composition of their work.

Mabechu said their work was spirit-led, therefore urged other artistes to be conscious of their lyrics when creating Gospel music.

She further urged them to assess their work and avoid fame, adding that Gospel music should not be about making money, but be used for delivering the Lord’s ministry.

The Gospel Music Awards ceremony is scheduled for August 27 at Gaborone’s Molapo Piazza.  ENDS