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Local musicians stand to shine and have the chance to showcase their artistry, following the launch of the fourth Tshivenda Music Awards (Tshima).
The event, held at the Khoroni Hotel in Thohoyandou last Thursday, was attended by officials from Thulamela, Vhembe, the Limpopo Arts and Culture MEC Onica Moloi, the national department of Arts and Culture representative, Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli, Chief Makwarela Makhuvha and hundreds of local musicians.
After an absence of a year, the awards have made a major comeback with improved prizes and increased categories.
According to the project director, Mr Augustine Nethononda, the event will see nominees battling it out in 14 categories, two more than the last event. The newly added categories are Best Tshivenda indigenous gospel artist or group of the year and the NYDA sponsored Tshima young and limitless artist of the year, focusing on artists younger than 21.
Nethononda said only four categories would be determined by an SMS voting process, while the rest would be adjudicated by an independent adjudication committee. “We have come to realize that the voting system is not always a true reflection of the artists’ abilities,” said Nethononda.
He added that the final list of nominees would be announced during a gala dinner on 29 July.
MEC Onica Moloi urged artists not to use their music to entertain only, but to tell the story and represent their people. She urged them to sing in their mother tongue that is easy to relate to the masses. She further called on local radio stations to play more local content to promote the local artists.
Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli urged artists to produce good music and appealed to communities to support them by buying their music. “We are very disturbed by what is happening when we find the music of artists being sold on street pavements by pirates. This should stop and we are the ones who could stop this,” he added. He further made a call for artists to come together and compose songs against ritual murders and the abuse of women and children.
Prizes for all categories have been increased to R30 000 for each category.
The winner of the Tshivenda song of the year will receive a whopping R50 000, which could be topped by other incentives, depending on sponsorship opportunities.
Entry forms and awards rules and regulations are available online and can be downloaded by visiting www.tshima.org.za. For further information, phone the Tshima office at 060 810 3845 or email [email protected].
Seated and listening attentively during the launch are, from left to right, Cllr Rapson Rambuwani, sports and culture MEC Ms Onica Moloi, Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli, radio pesonality Thilivhali "Big T" Muavha and a representative of the national arts and culture department, Mr Peter Mbelengwa.
Project director and founder of the awards Mr Augustine Nethononda.
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During the launch of the awards, standing second from left, is the vision holder of the awards, Mr Augustine Nethononda, Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli (third from left), MEC Onica Moloi (fourth from left), Cllr Matodzi Netshifhefhe of Thulamela (fifth from left) and arts and culture national representative Mr Peter Mbelengwa (sixth) and musicians.
By: Elmon Tshikhudo
Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.
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