This article will give you a comprehensive list of Top 20 South African gospel artists. South Africa is well known for music, and they’re recognized as one of the best in that category in Africa. Mostly, their fame in songs is not in the gospel category, but they never disappoint as they have the best artists in this field. We will be looking at their top best 20 gospel artists who are famous and also outstanding in their performance.
You might not know about them or you must have heard their songs but won’t know who the artist is, that’s why am here to show you who they are.
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Top 20 South African gospel artists
1. Benjamin Dube
Short Bio: Born on 23 January 1962 to minister Benjamin and gospel singer and educator Grace as the youngest of four children. His career began early and has been one of the longest careers so far from the 1980s till date. Benjamin Dube can play guitar and piano, and drums which he learned to play in the 1970s.
Education: Studied at Ministry and was ordained in 1986.
Awards: Won the 2007 South African Music Association’s (SAMA) Best Contemporary Gospel category and received an award for Best Praise & Worship Album.
Crown Gospel Music award for Best Praise & Worship Artist 2008.
2009 Crown Gospel Music award as Best Male Artist and received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Short Bio: The ever-smiling talented gospel artist was born on 30 June 1968. The multi-award-winning Rebecca Malope has made a name for herself, as she is given the title by fans as The African Queen of Gospel. Her career as a gospel artist has spanned more than 30 years. With great talent and hard work, Rebecca’s album has sold over 10 million copies.
Education: Unknown
Awards: Some of her awards are; 1987 Shell Road to Fame Best Female Vocalist.
1990 OKTV Awards Best Female Artist.
1993 Coca-Cola Full Blast Music Show: Best Established Local Artist.
1994 Coca-Cola Full Blast Music Show: Best Established Local Artist.
1995 South African Music Awards Best Contemporary Gospel Album.
2008 SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards Best Artist.
Short Bio: Multi-award Winning and Platinum Selling artist Judith Sephuma is a well-known artist in South Africa. She’s dubbed The Queen of Afro-Jazz as her genre is jazz and Afro-pop.
Education: Graduated from the University of Cape Town with a Performer’s Diploma in Jazz.
Awards: Won the “Best Jazz Vocalist” at the Old Mutual Jazz Into The Future competition.
4. Lebo Sekgobela
Short Bio: Gospel artist, singer, and songwriter Lebo Sekgobela was born on 19 September 1981. Currently, she’s at the top when it comes to female gospel artists in South Africa. Her great talent in music has made her be the fourth most-streamed female artist in South Africa on Apple Music. She has been consistent in these recent years and has been making great hits.
Education: Unknown
Awards: Won the 2012 Gospel Legacy Award by the Vaal Triangle.
2016 Best Female Artist at the SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards.
Short Bio: Popular gospel artist Dr. Tumi was born on 10 July 1981. His real name is Tumisang Makweya and he’s a doctor by profession. Many know him for his hit album Heart of a King which gave him an award.
Education: Studied medicine at the Medical University of South Africa.
Awards: 2012 Best RnB Gospel Award at the SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards.
Short Bio: Multi-talented and award-winning singer Dr. Winnie Mashaba has made a name for herself in her career. Born on April 1, 1981, she’s also a TV presenter and entrepreneur whose career has been active since the year 2000.
Education: Honorary Doctorate from Trinity International Bible University (TIBU).
Award: 2010 Best Female Artist at the Crown Gospel Awards.
Short Bio: You will definitely feel relieved when you hear her sing. Right from her early years, at the age of 3, her singing career kicked off. Zaza Mokhethi was already doing backing vocals at the age of 19 for top gospel artists like Rebecca Malope, Vicky Vilikazi, and Solly Mahlangu.
Education: Unknown.
Awards: Unknown.
8. Dumi Mkokstad
Short Bio: He’s one of the youngest in our list of top 20 South African gospel artists. Born on 7 May 1992, he has won some awards for his career as a gospel musician and producer. Many don’t know about this, his full name is Mdumisenzi Nzimande. Dumi Mkokstad got married to a medical doctor whose name is ZiphozeNkosi Nzimande.
Education: Unknown.
Award: Unknown.
9. Sbu Noah
Short Bio: His real name is Sibusiso Desmond Mthembu. The singer, songwriter, and TV presenter was born in 1986. He has released so many top-notch songs which have made him to be among the top gospel artists in South Africa.
Education: Degree in Anatomy.
Award: Nominated for Best Gospel song at the SABC Crown Gospel award in 2019.
10. Nqubeko Mbatha
Short Bio: From his childhood, he started singing in church but came out with his debut album in 2011. His wife Ntokozo Mbambo which will be next on our list is also an award-winning gospel artiste and they have been married for over 12 years.
Education: Natal Technikon (now known as the Durban University of Technology) – National Diploma in light music majoring in Piano.
Award: Unknown.
11. Ntokozo Mbambo
Short Bio: Like her husband, she starting singing too from her early years. From performing in church worship songs to being the youngest member to join the sensational Gospel group “Joyous Celebration” at the age of 15. In 2001, she released her debut album.
Education: Unknown.
Award: Her awards include; 2013 SAMAs, the 2012 and 2013 Crown Gospel Awards, and the 2013 Africa Gospel Music Awards.
12. Mahalia Buchanan
Short Bio: Popular South African gospel singer Mahalia Buchanan started making use of her talent and passion at the age of 6 when she started performing as a singer. Her debut album Redeemed to Worship was released in 2015.
Education: Unknown.
Award: Unknown.
13. Ayanda Ntanzi
Short Bio: Born in 1992 but lost his mother at the age of 8, Ayanda Ntanzi is a gospel singer. Many know him for his hit track “Nasempini”.
Education: Law Graduate.
Award: Unknown.
14. Bucy Radebe
Short Bio: If you’re conversant with South African gospel artists, you must have come across her. Bucy Radebe is a sensational singer who graces the stage with her cute smile whenever she performs. He was born on 28 October 1990.
Education: Unknown.
Award: Unknown.
Short Bio: Here’s another popular gospel artist from South Africa. After being among the top 30 contestants on the SABC2 reality TV back in 2008, he has been climbing the ladder of success since then. Lusanda Beja is the founder of Beja Music and Beja Creations and one of his hit songs is JesuLidwala.
Education: Unknown.
Awards: Unknown.
Short Bio: Plus-size gospel artist with a unique and melodious voice made it in our list of Top 20 South African gospel artists. She released her debut album in 2005 titled Dwala lami. Hlengiwe Mhlaba started singing at a very young age and her career remains strong since then.
Education: Unknown.
Awards: Unknown.
Short Bio: Her full name is Hlengiwe Ntombela and she’s not just a gospel singer, but also a songwriter. She’s from a Christian home, her father was a bishop at Potters House Family Church.
Education: Unknown.
Awards: Unknown.
Short Bio: Born in 1981, the ever-vibrant man is a gospel musician, performer, and CEO of Omega Khunou Productions has been a force to reckon with in the gospel world.
Education: Unknown.
Awards: Unknown.
19. Sipho Makhabane
Short Bio: Born in 1965, his childhood days weren’t a bed of roses as he was born into a poor life and at the same time lost his father at a young age. Sipho Makhabane began struggling with life while working as a technician at Telkom before he developed an interest in Gospel music. In the 90’s his two hit songs ‘Ngitinikela kuwe’ and ‘Yek’intokozo’ brought him to the limelight.
Education: Unknown.
Awards: Several SAMA and Crown Gospel awards.
Short Bio: The last in our list, though not the least is a group of people with a melodious voice. Soweto Gospel Choir was formed in 2002 with over 30 members and their genre is African gospel with traditional hymns, Jamaican reggae, American pop, and spiritually themed secular songs.
Awards: 2003 Australia: A Helpmann Award, Australia’s prestigious Performing Arts Award, for “Best Contemporary Music Concert”.
2007 USA: Grammy Award for their second CD “Blessed”, in the category “Best Traditional World Music”
You can visit their official website for all their awards.
Also Read: Top 5 South African Pastors