Following the recent passing of its founder, Zanele Mbokazi, the organisers of the Crown Gospel Awards have vowed that the awards ceremony will continue as planned.
Zanele passed away in August after a brief battle with lung cancer. This came after an incident on air in April this year where the radio presenter fell ill and experienced shortness of breath. She later received her diagnosis.
In recent days there have been several rumours circulating which suggested the event would be cancelled after its founder’s passing.
However, Siyanda Mwandla, who is the creative director and head choreographer of the 17th edition of the awards assured the public that this is far from true.
In an interview with the entertainment publication TshisaLive, he said: “ Everything is going accordingly, we aren’t postponing the award ceremony and we urge people to not listen to gossip.”
Siyanda has assured the above-mentioned publication that there are a few things that they have to finalise and that the public will soon be informed of the date and venue of the event.
“The 17th Crown Gospel Awards will be hosted this year and nominations are open. We also have nominations beyond our borders. The show must go on and we are doing that,” he said.
Meanwhile, the passing of Zanele has been a bitter pill to swallow for many of her most loved and devoted fans.
Just days after she was laid to rest, he husband, Bishop Mpendulo Brian, for the first time celebrated what would have been their 13th wedding anniversary without his loving wife.
Also see: Zanele Mbokazi’s husband celebrates ‘lonely’ anniversary
