Family Voices Wins Best Acappella Award at INGOMAs for ‘Evidence of the Kingdom’
Bulawayo-based vocal ensemble Family Voices has added another major international honour to its growing collection after its album, Evidence of the Kingdom, won the Best Acappella Award at the 13th Independent National Gospel Music Awards, known as the INGOMAs, in South Africa. The prestigious awards ceremony was held at Glory House in Midrand last Saturday, bringing together gospel musicians and creative talents from across the region. The victory represents an important achievement for Family Voices, which was the only Zimbabwean act represented at this year’s awards. Beyond adding another trophy to the group’s collection, the recognition has placed Zimbabwean gospel and acappella music firmly on an international platform.
For Family Voices, the Best Acappella Award represents more than recognition for a successful album. The ensemble sees Evidence of the Kingdom as a reflection of its faith, musical journey and commitment to using vocal music to communicate messages of hope and inspiration. Following the announcement, the group shared its excitement on social media and dedicated the achievement to everyone who has supported its journey. The members also gave credit to God for what they described as a significant moment in their musical ministry. Their reaction captured the importance of the award, particularly because they represented Zimbabwe as the only group from the country at the prestigious gospel event.
The group said the award was a source of immense pride because it allowed them to carry Zimbabwean music, faith and identity onto an international stage. Family Voices described Evidence of the Kingdom as more than an album, calling it a testimony of the journey they have travelled together as musicians and ministers. The statement also acknowledged listeners, supporters and people who have continued to pray for and encourage the group throughout its career. The recognition therefore carries a strong personal and spiritual meaning for the members. It also demonstrates how an independently driven Zimbabwean ensemble can gain attention beyond its home country through consistency, creativity and a clear musical identity.
Speaking about the achievement, Family Voices spokesman Michael Sibanda said the announcement left the members extremely excited. He described the moment as surreal and said the group was over the moon after hearing that Evidence of the Kingdom had won the Best Acappella Award. The achievement also reminded the ensemble of its earlier experiences competing on major continental platforms. Sibanda specifically reflected on 2020, when Family Voices represented Zimbabwe in the Old Mutual Amazing Voices competition. The group finished fourth in that competition, an experience that helped expose its vocal talent to audiences across Africa and strengthened its confidence in competing at a high level.
The INGOMAs victory comes at a time when Family Voices is building momentum through recognition in different parts of the world. The ensemble recently received two accolades in the United States at the Contemporary Acappella Recording Awards, commonly known as the CARAs. Family Voices had received 11 nominations at the awards and emerged as first runner-up in six categories. Those results added to the group’s growing international profile and demonstrated that its music could connect with audiences and industry professionals outside Africa. For Sibanda, the latest INGOMAs victory confirms that Family Voices is moving in the right direction as Evidence of the Kingdom continues to attract international attention.
The award is particularly significant because Family Voices operates within the specialised world of a cappella music. Unlike productions built around extensive instrumental arrangements, a cappella performances depend heavily on vocal control, harmony, rhythm, arrangement and the ability of individual singers to work as a cohesive unit. Sibanda believes the genre has not always received the level of attention it deserves within the mainstream music industry. He said the INGOMAs recognition could help Family Voices contribute to changing that situation by demonstrating the creative possibilities of vocal music. The group’s success could also encourage more musicians and young performers to explore a cappella as a serious musical form within both gospel and secular spaces.
At the centre of Evidence of the Kingdom is a message that extends beyond entertainment. According to Sibanda, the album reflects the group’s understanding of the Kingdom of God and how its members seek to live out that purpose both individually and collectively. The ensemble views its music as a way of occupying positive space and encouraging people to become the salt and light of the world. This spiritual focus gives the project an identity that goes beyond its vocal arrangements and musical production. The Best Acappella Award therefore recognises not only the technical qualities of the album but also a project rooted in the group’s long-standing gospel ministry.
Sibanda explained that Evidence of the Kingdom also reflects the way Family Voices members have continued to find their way back to the group despite the different directions their individual lives have taken. The members have experienced personal challenges, career changes and the ordinary demands of life, but they continue to reunite around a shared purpose. That purpose remains the desire to influence society through their understanding of the Kingdom of God. Their ability to maintain that collective identity over many years has helped the ensemble remain active in Zimbabwe’s music landscape. The album consequently represents both a musical release and another chapter in the story of a group that has remained committed to its calling.
Family Voices also wants to use its expanding international profile to make a positive impact on young people. The ensemble is particularly concerned about the impact of drug and alcohol abuse in communities and believes musicians can play a constructive role in addressing these challenges. Sibanda said the group wants to become a beacon of hope for young people who may feel limited by their circumstances. Through its music, public presence and personal example, Family Voices hopes to show that difficult circumstances do not have to determine a person’s future. The group believes hard work, commitment and faith can help young people pursue meaningful goals and make positive choices.
The group’s long history gives it a strong foundation from which to pursue that mission. Family Voices was founded in Bulawayo in 1999 and has spent more than two decades developing its reputation as a gospel and inspirational vocal ensemble. Over the years, the group has also helped nurture vocal talent, with former members Mkhululi Bhebhe and the late Eric Moyo later becoming prominent members of South Africa’s celebrated Joyous Celebration gospel ensemble. Their journeys provide further evidence of the calibre of vocal talent that has passed through Family Voices. The ensemble’s continued activity also shows its ability to adapt while maintaining its core commitment to gospel and vocal music.
Family Voices has performed at numerous major platforms in Zimbabwe and across the region, building an extensive performance history along the way. Its appearances have included the Harare International Festival of Arts, Essence Festival in Durban, Joyous Celebration shows, Muvhango’s 2 000th episode celebrations and the Ignite My Fire Show in Durban. These opportunities have allowed the ensemble to perform for diverse audiences and share stages connected to some of the region’s most recognised cultural and entertainment platforms. The group’s performance history has also helped strengthen its reputation as a disciplined and experienced vocal act. Its latest international award adds another important chapter to that record.
The ensemble has also had opportunities to share stages with influential musicians from Zimbabwe and the wider African music industry. Among the notable artists associated with Family Voices’ performance history are the late Zimbabwean music icon Oliver Mtukudzi, South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela, acclaimed vocalist Judith Sephuma and award-winning saxophonist Steve Dyer. Performing alongside established names has provided the group with valuable exposure and placed its vocal work within a broader African musical context. These experiences have contributed to the ensemble’s development and helped it establish a reputation beyond its Bulawayo base. The INGOMAs victory now provides another platform for Family Voices to introduce its music and message to wider audiences.
Its fourth-place finish in the 2020 Old Mutual Amazing Voices competition remains another major milestone in the group’s journey. The competition brought together strong vocal acts from across the continent and gave Family Voices an opportunity to compete on a much larger African stage. Finishing fourth demonstrated that the Bulawayo ensemble could compete successfully against established vocal groups from different countries. The experience also helped expand awareness of Family Voices beyond Zimbabwe. Several years later, the INGOMAs award shows how the group has continued building on that continental experience.
Family Voices currently brings together members with different responsibilities and musical strengths, creating a structure that supports both its performance and creative work. Brighton Ncube serves as bass vocalist and chairman, while Melusi Sibanda is the beat boxer and music director and serves as vice-chairman. Tinashe Chitsaka contributes vocals and handles administration, while Michael Sibanda contributes vocals and clothing design. Ngonidzashe Musiniwa works as the vocal arranger, with Oscar Mukaro and Sean Banda also serving as vocalists. Nkanyiso Gumbo contributes bass vocals while also bringing digital creation and design skills to the ensemble, reflecting the diverse talents that support Family Voices beyond singing.
The Best Acappella Award at the 13th INGOMAs marks another important achievement in Family Voices’ long musical journey. From its beginnings in Bulawayo in 1999 to continental competition stages and international awards in the United States and South Africa, the ensemble continues to expand its reach while remaining grounded in gospel and inspirational music. Evidence of the Kingdom has now become an award-winning album, giving the group another reason to celebrate its commitment to a cappella music and ministry. More importantly, the recognition gives Family Voices an opportunity to reach new audiences and promote its message of faith, hope, perseverance and positive living. As the ensemble continues to take its music onto international stages, its latest INGOMAs triumph stands as a proud moment for Family Voices and another significant achievement for Zimbabwean vocal music.
