Canaan Nyathi Credits CLIMA Africa Award with Restoring Hope and Reviving His Gospel Music Passion
Zimbabwean gospel musician Canaan Nyathi has credited his Africa Male Artist of the Year award at the Christian Legendary and Impact Makers Awards in Africa (CLIMA Africa) with restoring his hope and reigniting his passion for gospel music after a difficult start to 2026. The recognition came at a time when personal disappointments, rejection and uncertainty about his musical future had left him questioning whether to continue pursuing his calling. Nyathi revealed that the emotional challenges he faced had pushed him close to abandoning music altogether. However, encouragement from a close Zimbabwean gospel minister helped him regain his confidence and believe that better days lay ahead. Winning the prestigious continental award has since given him renewed motivation to continue spreading the message of Jesus Christ through his music.
Nyathi received the Africa Male Artist of the Year accolade during the CLIMA Africa awards ceremony held at Solution Arena in Lagos, Nigeria, on October 9, 2026. The event marked the 10th anniversary of the continental awards and brought together gospel musicians, ministers and influential personalities from across Africa. The ceremony celebrated individuals whose work has contributed to the growth of gospel music, Christian ministry and the wider faith community. For Nyathi, the award represented more than professional recognition because it arrived after months of emotional strain and uncertainty. The achievement also highlighted the growing presence of Zimbabwean gospel musicians on the African stage and their contribution to the continent’s Christian music industry.
Reflecting on his experiences, Nyathi described 2026 as an emotionally draining year marked by disappointment from people he valued and supported. He said the actions of people close to him had affected his confidence and weakened his enthusiasm for the gospel music industry. Despite the effort he had invested in others, he felt hurt by what he perceived as a lack of appreciation and understanding. The situation became so difficult that he began questioning his place in gospel music and whether continuing his career was worth the emotional cost. His experience revealed the personal struggles that can exist behind the public image of a successful gospel artist, even when that artist continues to work towards major professional goals.
Nyathi explained that his struggles eventually reached a point where he decided to stop pursuing music. He said the gospel music scene had become a source of distress rather than the place of purpose and fulfilment he had once known. In his account, the loss of hope was accompanied by the pain of feeling rejected by people he had loved and supported. He recalled that one Zimbabwean minister who was close to him intervened at a crucial moment and offered words of encouragement that helped change his outlook. The minister urged him not to give up and encouraged him to believe that his music would one day take him around the world while spreading the message of Jesus Christ.
The encouragement proved important in helping Nyathi remain committed to his calling during a period of uncertainty. Rather than allowing disappointment to determine the future of his career, he found a reason to keep moving forward and trust that his circumstances could improve. His account also highlights the importance of support systems within the gospel music community, where ministers, fellow musicians and trusted friends can provide guidance during difficult times. For artists whose work is closely connected to their faith, personal setbacks can affect not only their professional confidence but also their sense of purpose. Nyathi’s experience shows how encouragement from a trusted individual can help someone reconsider a decision made during a period of emotional distress.
The CLIMA Africa award has since become a significant milestone in Nyathi’s journey, reinforcing his belief in his musical abilities and encouraging him to persevere. Although the accolade does not erase the difficulties he experienced earlier in the year, it provides recognition of his work at a time when he needed renewed confidence. Receiving the Africa Male Artist of the Year honour also places his achievements within a broader continental context, alongside gospel musicians who continue to use their talents to reach audiences across different countries. For Nyathi, the recognition serves as a reminder that a difficult period does not necessarily determine the outcome of an entire year. His experience offers an encouraging message to aspiring gospel artists who may be facing rejection, professional uncertainty or personal challenges while pursuing their dreams.
The award also adds to a series of notable achievements for Zimbabweans at the 2026 CLIMA Africa ceremony. Gospel musician Everton Mlalazi received the Africa Global Music Impact Award in recognition of his contribution to gospel music. Prophet Uebert Angel was also named Africa Outstanding Pastor of the Year, giving Zimbabwe further representation among the ceremony’s recognised personalities. The achievements demonstrate the presence of Zimbabwean musicians and Christian leaders within the wider African religious and cultural landscape. For Nyathi, however, the significance of the occasion remains closely connected to his personal journey and the renewed determination he has gained after considering leaving music behind.
Beyond the award ceremony, Nyathi also celebrated an important professional milestone with the recording of his third live DVD, titled “God and a New Song”. The project was recorded at Carnival City’s Big Top Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa, on October 3, 2026, just days before the CLIMA Africa awards. The live recording attracted thousands of people from different backgrounds and was presented under the theme “Building an Altar for Jesus”. The event also formed part of Nyathi’s 40th birthday celebrations, giving him an opportunity to reflect on his life, his musical journey and the role of faith in carrying him through different seasons. The project represented both a major production achievement and a personal expression of gratitude for the experiences that had shaped his life and ministry.
“God and a New Song” features 20 tracks built around themes of gratitude, faith, salvation, divine favour and the sovereignty of God. Through the project, Nyathi seeks to encourage believers to honour God while using gospel music to communicate messages of hope and spiritual commitment. The recording also reflects the ability of Christian music to bring together people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds through a shared expression of faith. By staging the event at a major venue in Johannesburg, Nyathi brought his musical vision to a large audience and created a setting for collective worship and celebration. The project’s theme also connects with his personal experiences, particularly his determination to remain faithful to his calling despite the challenges he encountered during the year.
Nyathi described “God and a New Song” as the best project of his career, explaining that he invested considerable resources and effort to bring his vision to life. He said the production received careful attention in areas such as choreography, stage design and lighting. For him, the quality of the presentation was important because the event was intended to honour God and reflect the blessings he believed he had received throughout his journey. He explained that the stage concept was built around the idea of creating an altar for Jesus, making the production’s visual elements part of its spiritual message. His decision to invest millions in bringing the vision to life reflected the importance he attached to the event and his desire to deliver a memorable experience for the audience.
The live DVD recording and the CLIMA Africa award together represent important moments in a year that Nyathi initially described as deeply difficult. The two achievements demonstrate how professional progress can occur alongside personal struggles, with success in one area not necessarily removing challenges in another. His experience also illustrates the pressure gospel musicians may face as they balance their artistic ambitions, spiritual responsibilities and relationships within the industry. While awards can offer public recognition, encouragement from trusted people can play an equally important role in helping artists maintain their motivation. Nyathi’s journey places both forms of support at the centre of his renewed commitment to gospel music.
As he looks ahead, the Africa Male Artist of the Year award has given Nyathi fresh reasons to believe in his future as a gospel musician. His plans and ambitions remain connected to his desire to share the message of Jesus Christ with audiences beyond Zimbabwe, while continuing to develop music that encourages believers. The success of “God and a New Song” also gives him another significant project through which to expand his musical ministry and connect with listeners. His story is a reminder that personal setbacks can challenge even deeply held ambitions, but support, faith and renewed confidence can help people continue pursuing meaningful goals. For Canaan Nyathi, the CLIMA Africa accolade has become more than an award, serving as a turning point that restored his hope, renewed his passion for gospel music and strengthened his resolve to continue his journey.
