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By Karabo Makao
Gospel group Wacha Mkhukhu Wachumlilo has reached a historic milestone after being crowned Best Gospel Group at the Thobela FM Awards held at Meropa Casino on Sunday, 29 March 2026.
The award marks the group’s first major win since its formation in 2005, making it a deeply emotional achievement for members and supporters alike. Founded by the late Charles Nkosana Kodi and Lucas Sipho Mojeremane Xale, the group has spent two decades building a legacy in South Africa’s gospel music scene.
Speaking on behalf of Wachumlilo Production, manager and producer Sipho “King K” Kekana described the win as both meaningful and long overdue.
“Honestly, it means a great deal to us,” said Kekana. “For many years, one of our biggest concerns has been the lack of recognition for the pioneers and legends of this genre, people who have contributed immensely but were never fully acknowledged.”
He added that the group has long been advocating for greater recognition of gospel music, particularly ZCC gospel, which they believe has been sidelined despite its cultural significance.
“Following the passing of Nkosana, we made it our mission to fight for this genre to receive the space and recognition it truly deserves. This award is a significant step forward it reassures us that progress is being made.”
The group’s victory follows the success of their latest album, Re Kgoeletsa Magodimong, which has been widely praised by fans and critics. Kekana revealed that the project came at a difficult time for the group.
“It was a deeply emotional project for us. It came at a time when we were honestly considering stepping away from the industry altogether. Despite that, we poured everything we had into the album,” he said.
The album features collaborations with artists such as Paul K, Keke, Simon Makgatholela, and Given Moganedi, alongside standout performances by young talent Kago Molefe.
“Many people now regard it as our best work in 20 years, and it played a major role in achieving this milestone,” Kekana added.
Looking ahead, the group plans to use this moment as a foundation for future growth. One of their key priorities is honouring the legacy of their late founder.
“We intend to celebrate this achievement by handing the award over to Nkosana’s family as a token of appreciation and to honour his legacy,” said Kekana.
Fans will also have an opportunity to celebrate with the group at the upcoming Wachumlilo Day of Prayer, scheduled for 6 June at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria. The event will feature performances from several gospel artists and will also be recorded for future releases.
“We will be recording live performances not only for the group but for the Wachumlilo family and our solo artists. This forms part of our mission to reinforce that this is not a minor genre it deserves respect and recognition,” he said.
The recordings are expected to be released as a series of EPs, further strengthening the presence of ZCC gospel music in the industry.
After 20 years of perseverance, Wacha Mkhukhu Wachumlilo’s victory stands as a powerful testament to resilience, faith, and the enduring impact of gospel music in South Africa.
