Sion Awards launched as Rwandan Gospel singers win big

By George Kalisa

Sion Awards aim at recognizing, appreciating and supporting the gospel artistes and choirs across the country for using their talents to lead communities in praise and worship of God, said officials from organising committee during a sideline presser at the Sion Awards launch on November25, 2021 at MHotel in the heart of the capital, Kigali.

 “The gospel singers and Choirs invest ample time and resources to produce the songs that help to lead thousands of God’s people in praise and worship, but it’s unfortunate that they don’t get the recognition and support they deserve,” observed Mr. Nicodemus Nzahoyankuye, the Manager of Christian Communications Ltd and Chairman of the Organising Committee of Sion Awards.

“The Sion Awards not meant to create any sort of competition among the gospel artistes but they denote `our contribution to the music industry and regarded as incentives,” he added.    

Nzahoyankuye paid tribute to the sponsors of the Sion Awards who include Rwanda’s millionaire SINA Gérard, the Founder and Managing Director of SINA Gérard Urwibutso Entreprise, Urwego Bank, New Melodies Industries Ltd and Gumaho Shop among others.

Applications are now invited from exclusively Christians in the music industry irrespective of their religious affiliations and the panel of judges will guided by criteria. The organizing committee considers a period from 2019 to the day, but it emphasizes that this Award will be annual.

The Sion Awards have considered the plight of upcountry gospel singers and Choirs along hip hop genre of gospel music a departure from the history of Gospel Awards that have been on entertainment calendar of Rwanda.

 Nzahoyankuye said that hip hop music is a new innovation in gospel music that had not been recognised in the past. 

Criteria include production of four songs in audio and video during the specified period. The songs of singer or choir be accessed on any of the social platforms and participants must be Christians.  

The ten categories for the first edition include: male artiste of the year, female artiste of the years, the best hip hop artiste, best upcountry choir, upcoming gospel artiste, the best ministry group of the year among others.   

In addition, Nzahoyankuye underlined that the Special Recognition Awards will go to notable gospel singers that have made a difference in the gospel music sub-sector.     

The first edition of the Sion Awards is scheduled for January9, 2022 while nominations on December23, 2021.  

The public participation vote contributes 40% while the panel of judges awards 60%, the organizing committee has revealed.

 The launch was attended by representatives from Urwego Bank and Rwanda Gospel Music Union.

Mr. John Bosco Ndoli, Urwego Branch Network Manager said that his bank will award three categories in this edition of Sion Awards, adding that Urwego Bank that has presence in all the 30 districts of Rwanda has been promoting financial inclusion, especially through increasing access to credit to the most vulnerable through Churches.

“This is not the first time we support deserving people, as a bank that is founded on the Christian principles and upholding Christian values we have the plight of social protection at the centre of our activities across the country,” observed Ndoli.

“We extend credit for startups without collateral security through their Churches and we reiterate our commitment to continue with our mission of delivering Rwandans from the pangs of poverty and help them aspire for a better living,” added Ndoli.

SINA Gérard will decorate the best male artiste of the year. The winner of this category will take home a jackpot of Rwf500, 000 in addition to a trophy, certificate and support in the production of two songs in video.  

It is a principle for SINA Gérard Urwibutso Etreprise to give back to the communities through acts of charity that help communities to improve their livelihoods. Besides, sponsoring the Rwandan music industry the Rwandan tycoon every year sponsors motor rallies and football tournaments among others. 

Sion Awards increases the list of Awards for gospel artistes in Rwanda. Previously the Groove Awards, SIFA Rewards and Rwanda Gospel Stars Live recognised Rwandan artistes.