The stage for the 16th Crown Gospel Music Awards which took place at FNB Stadium on Sunday, 26 November 2023. Image: Facebook.com/CrownGospelMusicAwards
The 16th Crown Gospel Music Awards have come and gone. This year, the awards, which have always been held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Center in Durban, took place at the FNB stadium in Johannesburg on the night of 26 November 2023.
The biggest winners of the night were Jumbo Nyangiwe and Swazi Dlamini, who walked away with two awards each. Jumbo took home the Best Gospel Male Artist and Best Gospel Song awards while Swazi emerged as the winner under the Best Gospel Jazz Song and Best Gospel Collaboration categories. Below is the full list of winners:
| Category | Artist and Song/Album |
| Best Gospel Jazz Song | Swazi Dlamini — Holy Ghost Outpouring |
| Best Gospel Acapella | Yithi Laba Gospel Singers — Thandaza |
| Best Gospel Rap | Vovee and LG — Praying For Africa |
| Best Community Outreach | Letia Mawelane |
| Best Community Radio Station | Imbokodo FM — Sizwe Manqele |
| Best Gospel TV Show | Umthombo — Soweto TV |
| Best Gospel Producer Album | Khaya Mthethwa for 3C Live album Communion With The King |
| Best Gospel Newcomer | Sibusiso Nzima |
| Soso Maholwane | |
| Clap and Tap | Spiritual Gospel Choir |
| Best Amazioni | Jehovah Praise Mass Choir |
| Best Gospel Itende | Londiwe Sphe Nxumalo — Uphakeme kakhulu |
| Best Gospel Video | King D Music |
| Best Gospel Collaboration | Swazi featuring Putuma Tiso |
| Best Gospel Live Recording | Gershom Ntimane Group |
| Best Gospel Group | Thembisa Gospel Group |
| Best Gospel Worship Song | Song of Breakthrough by Colleen Maluleke |
| Best of Africa Gospel Artist | Tsepo Lesola |
| Best Traditional Gospel Song | Ethembeni Bambelela by Butho Vuthela |
| Best Gospel Song Writer | Dumi Mkokstad for Vumbelimnandi |
| Classic of All Time | Xihanya Nomu by Joseph Tshawane |
| Best Contemporary Gospel Song | Most Holy One by Mnqobi Nxumalo |
| Best Gospel Praise Song | Makabongwe by Tebs David |
| Best Gospel Female Artist | Sindi Ntombela |
| Best Gospel Male Artist | Jumbo |
| Best Gospel Album | Communion With The King by 3C Live |
| Best Gospel Artist | Canaan Nyathi |
| Best Gospel Song | Makabongwe uJesu by Jumbo |
The gospel group Masibuyele kuJehovah received the Lifetime Achievement Award for their 35-year contribution to the gospel music industry.
The awards are set to be broadcast on Sunday, 03 December at 19:30 on SABC 2.
