When gospel music was shut out
This year, Ukhozi FM changed the rules for its annual New Year’s Eve song contest, Ingoma Ehlukanisa Unyaka. Instead of letting listeners nominate any track they loved, the station released a curated Top 20 playlist from which only the Top 10 would be chosen. For 2025, the playlist did not include a single gospel song. That exclusion has stirred strong reactions across South Africa’s gospel community.
Why gospel musicians feel cut out
Seasoned gospel voices such as Andile KaMajola and Sipho Makhabane say the change amounts to more than a simple update in procedure. For them, it feels like a deliberate sideline. They note that for years, listeners freely nominated their favourite songs across genres. This year, Ukhozi FM removed the power of listener nomination by preselecting 20 tracks, none of which were gospel. That has left many artists feeling unheard and disrespected.
Andile KaMajola said he and others would not mind if gospel songs were voted out by listeners. The problem was being excluded from the start. In his view, the move stripped gospel musicians of fair representation and dignity.
A blow to faith-based music and its community
For many gospel artists and fans, the snub is not just about awards. Music is often ministry. Songs that speak of faith and hope connect deeply with listeners. By excluding gospel from the shortlist, the station arguably ignored a sizeable community of loyal listeners. Some have suggested that this reflects a broader bias in how commercial radio values certain genres over others.
The public outcry and a demand for fairness
As word spread, social media lit up with fans and musicians calling for accountability. Criticism ranged from disappointment to outright anger. Some accused Ukhozi FM of undermining the spirit of democracy in music by controlling what listeners could choose from. Others labelled the move as discrimination against the gospel. Several artists suggested boycotting future contests if the system does not change.
At the heart of the backlash lies a simple question: if the station plays gospel all year, why would it omit gospel from the election of the Song of the Year list?
What Ukhozi FM says and the case for transparency
According to the station, the Top 20 list is drawn from songs that were playlisted during the year, as well as top charting tracks from digital platforms and the station’s own chart show. That determines which songs are eligible for the contest.
But artists argue that this method removes the listeners’ voice from the process. With the control now in the hands of programmers and algorithms, many feel the balance has shifted and is not in favour of underrepresented genres like gospel.
Why this debate matters beyond one song contest
This controversy reveals deeper tensions in South Africa’s music scene. It shines light on how gatekeeping and genre bias can shape what gets heard and celebrated. For gospel musicians, the fight is not only for a trophy. It is about representation, respect, and a fair chance to be heard.
If radio platforms are the gatekeepers of popular music, how they choose their playlists impacts livelihoods, communities, and the cultural diversity of the airwaves. This moment may force a re-examination of how musical diversity is valued in mainstream media.
Source: Briefly News
Featured Image: News24
