African Choir scoops up top Mzansi award

Date: 18 June 2015 By: Linda van der Westhuizen

In a victory that surprised even the winners, the Agapé African Choir of Louis Trichardt scooped up the Mzansi Gopsel Music Award for the Group/Duo category.

“We didn’t expect it at all,” said choir director Pastor Grant Clifton of the Agapé Christian Centre. “We were up against well-respected bands, among them the famous We will Worship and the excellent Spirit of Praise. Following the initial surprise, we felt really honoured.”

The inaugural award ceremony took place in the Mosaïek Teatro in Randburg on 13 June. In his winning speech, Clifton said: “I know you might be shocked that it is an African choir and I am a white guy, but in the words of Thabo Mbeki ‘I am an African’ too'.” He added that he was blessed by the evening’s guest artists (nominees and other artists) and encouraged the audience to remember that it was “always all about Him.”

Among the winners was the renowned Loyiso Bala, who was awarded as African Artist of the Year. Loyiso also won the You Spectacular award, which was hosted on the same evening. “I missed both because we were winning 50 souls to Jesus at a concert in Brakpan,” Loyiso wrote on his Facebook page. The legendary Benjamin Dube won the best video of the year with Yebo Linamandla; the song of the year was YHWH by We will Worship and Neville D won the album of the year with Beauty of Difference.

Pastor Clifton originally entered the choir in the choir section and thought they stood a chance there. The choir section did not go through and they were moved to the Group/ Duo category. They had to send a CD, video footage and written background to each member of the panel of judges. They were overjoyed when they were nominated with four other groups, but realised that they were up against tough competition. Following the nominations, the “fans” could vote per SMS for their favourite group or artist.

The visionary leader of the Mzansi Gospel Awards, Mr Edzani Raaloe, said this week that for the final phase the judging accounted for 50% and the votes for the other 50%.  “We took both quality and popularity into account. Our judges are people in the industry and among them were Janine Price, long-standing worship leader of Rhema and an artist in her own right, and Avhasei Tshivase of One Gospel Television Channel”, Raaloe said.

“We can’t explain our win logically. Only God can receive the glory. The biggest lesson I have learnt is that when you obey God’s call, He opens doors supernaturally,” said Mrs Bernice Clifton, co-director of the choir.  The choir was started in 2012 as a ministry of the Agapé Christian Centre in obedience to God’s call and has since performed locally and internationally. In July they will start the recording of a full album, by adding six new tracks to their existing EP (Extended Play).

More information on the choir and their music can be found on www.agapeafricanchoir.com.

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Linda van der Westhuizen

Linda van der Westhuizen has been with Zoutnet since 2001. She has a heart for God, people and their stories. Linda believes that every person is unique and has a special story to tell. It follows logically that human interest stories is her speciality. Linda finds working with people and their leaders in the economic, educational, spiritual and political arena very rewarding. “I have a special interest in what God is doing in our town, province and nation and what He wants us to become,” says Linda.

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