Popular gospel musician Albert Mudau said his Phalaphala FM Tshivenda Music Awards nomination was as good as a win and had revived his career.
The gospel legend, whose career spans nearly two decades, received a nomination in the Best Traditional Gospel Artist category. The award ceremony will take place at the Kalahari Waterfront on 7 December.
This is Mudau's second nomination since the TSHIMA's inception. His first nomination was in 2012, but he did not win.
The song that earned him the nomination, "Wo Mpfuna Zwingafha," is the title track of his new album, which has just been released. The album features the typical Mudau style, full of hymns such as Tshililelwa Tshe wa Bula, Dzi Ndila Dzau Dzothe, Fhungo li Nndifhelaho, Kha ri Takalele, and Mutshidzi Wanga.
Regarding how he feels after being nominated, Mudau was quick to point out that he was excited to be among those vying for the prestigious award in his category. "The mere nomination of my song is a great achievement. This is testament enough that I am still a force to be reckoned with on the gospel music scene. It is not that easy to reach the stage where we are now. The judges have seen something extraordinary in me, and I believe that something is still going to make me shine above the rest in the end," he said.
"I have laboured for many years. With 11 albums, including the latest that earned me the nomination, this is a befitting honour. I was planning to retire after this album, but the nomination has revived my career, and I am oozing confidence. I can see that I still have a lot to offer. I strongly believe that the harvest time has finally come for me," he added.