A young gospel artist from Khayelitsha has put his area on the map after he scooped his first gospel award during the 2nd Bokone Bophirima Gospel Music Awards (BBGMA) event held at Potchefstroom in the North West on Saturday 26 November.
The awards are the brainchild of Dr Thapelo Donald Kgabage, youth influencer and accounting lecturer at the North West University (NWU). They are designed to celebrate gospel artists in the North West and around the country.
Athenkosi Gqwetha, who is from H section Khayelitsha, won the Best National Gospel Newcomer Award from his Extended Play (EP) with the song ‘Better 2022’ which he released in April this year.
An EP is a musical recording that contains more tracks than a single but fewer than an album or LP record.
He expressed his gratitude to all the people who voted for him. “I thank all South African people for showing love for me. Your votes are very important to me. They made me special. I’m happy and I thank all the people who voted for me,” said Gqwetha. He vowed to keep on producing good music. He stated that he didn’t expect the award.
“I was so nervous and shaking when the master of ceremony (MC) was about to announce the winner. I knew people voted for me but I was so scared. When the MC called my name I couldn’t believe it,” he said, adding that it is his first award in the industry.
Gqwetha declared that Khayelitsha is not a jungle. He stated that there are good people and things that are happening in the area.
“I went to that awards ceremony not only for me but to represent my community as well. My aim is to win more awards and also change the perception that other people have about certain areas. I’m glad that I put Khayelitsha on the map for a good reason,” he said.
Gqweta released his first album titled Uyaphila in 2020. He said people can get his EP on all digital platforms