Lefelleng Apostolic Church Choir has earned national recognition after taking home the Best Apostolic Music Award at the 2nd Annual Choral Indigenous Music Awards in Johannesburg.
The choir received the accolade during the ceremony hosted by Sounds of Azania at AMPD Studios in Newtown Junction on Saturday, 25 July 2026.
The achievement placed Lefelleng among leading choirs and musicians celebrated for their contribution to South Africa’s choral and indigenous music sector.
Lefelleng conductor Teboho Tsotetsi said the award recognised the choir members’ commitment, discipline and passion for apostolic music.
“This award belongs to every member of Lefelleng Apostolic Church Choir who has sacrificed their time and worked tirelessly to preserve our music. It encourages us to continue sharing apostolic music with new audiences while remaining true to our faith and cultural roots,” Tsotetsi said.
He added that the recognition would motivate the choir to continue developing its sound and creating opportunities for younger singers to participate in indigenous choral music.
The Choral Indigenous Music Awards, known as CIMA, recognise artists, choirs and cultural groups working to preserve and promote the country’s diverse musical traditions.
The event brought together performers, cultural stakeholders, industry representatives, media and music supporters from across South Africa.
Lefelleng was recognised alongside Kopano Chorus, Young Singers, Mompati Arts Chorus, Baemedi ba Tumelo, Image of God Choristers, Sons of Peace, Ithemba Youth Choir, Dominion Church in Christ, Umlazi Gospel Choir The Original, Iminqweno Yethu Choir and Majalefa a Morena, among others.
Kopano Chorus won the Best Imizwilili Music Award, while Young Singers received the Best Isicathamiya Music Award. Mompati Arts Chorus was named the winner of the Best Choral Performance Award and Baemedi ba Tumelo received the Best Clap and Tap Music Award.
Image of God Choristers won the Best Zion Music Award, Sons of Peace received the Best Amadodana Music Award and Ithemba Youth Choir took home the Best Indigenous Music Award.
Dominion Church in Christ won the Best Choral Album of the Year award for Kuyabongwa, while Umlazi Gospel Choir The Original was named Best Choral Group of the Year.
Iminqweno Yethu Choir received the overall Best Choral Indigenous Music Award for 2026, while Majalefa a Morena was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for its decades-long contribution to South African choral and indigenous gospel music.
Project manager Jennifer Mdluli said the awards were created to recognise musical excellence while protecting the traditions and stories that form part of South Africa’s cultural identity.
“CIMA is more than an awards ceremony. It is a movement that honours the voices, traditions and stories that define our identity as South Africans,” Mdluli said.
She said the 2026 event welcomed first-time nominees as well as returning participants, reflecting continued growth within the indigenous music sector.
The ceremony was hosted by broadcaster and media personality Amanda Ndebele and included performances by Sisekelo Mavundla, Sibah Musiq, Karin Kedem, Young Singers, Bonakele and Thak’so Ujey Choir.
Sounds of Azania founder Msizi Mavundla thanked the performers, sponsors, partners and volunteers who contributed to the event and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to preserving South Africa’s choral and indigenous music traditions.
The organisers said preparations for the next edition would continue, with the awards aiming to provide a national platform for emerging and established choirs.
