Richards Bay - President Jacob Zuma has joined the list of world leaders who have been honoured by the South African Traditional Music Achievement Awards (SATMA) for their unwavering support for traditional music as well as contribution to ending racial discrimination.
During the 10th anniversary of this year’s SATMA’s awards, President Zuma was awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award in absentia.
This year’s SATMA Awards, which attracted about 5000 people, were held at the University of Zululand, in KwaZulu-Natal under the theme: “I am African”.
Receiving the award on behalf of the President, Communications Minister Faith Muthambi said traditional music plays a crucial role in passing down cultural heritage to the new generations.
“By winning this award, the President has challenged all of us … to preserve our own culture and history regardless of the prevalence of cultural globalisation.”
United States President Barack Obama’s grandmother, Sarah Obama, was also honoured at the glittering awards ceremony for the work she does in Kenya to improve the lives of people there, especially children.
Former President Thabo Mbeki’s late father, Govan Mbeki was also honoured.
Launched in 2005, the SATMA Awards are aimed at promoting, preserving, uplifting, developing, honouring and awarding traditional musicians across racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Other international guests who graced the awards Samia Nkrumah, the daughter of the first President of Ghana Kwame Nkrumah and Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of El-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, morecommonly known as Malcolm X.
The 2015 Annual SATMA Awards winners were as follows: Best Sepedi - Mponi (Dula le nna); Best TshiVenda - April Ramufhi (Vhavenda vha lale); Best Xitsonga - Joe Shirimani (Ni Heleketeni); Best isiNdebele - Smangele (Ihlonipho); Best isiXhosa - Butho Vuthela (Emasimini kuyaphilwa vol1); Best SesTswana - Diragammu Cultural group (Mahikeng); Best isiSwati - Make Shelangubo (Ngilele Ebaleni); Best Indian - Flash Entertainers (Nagara touch and chutney hits); Best Sesotho - Phoka le Moketa (Lipooho tsa Borhabela); Best Boeremusiek - Hans Bothma (Langarm boerejol); Best Maskandi - Amageza Amahle (Ithende lemicimbi); Best Vernecular Hip hop - Zakwe (Reverse ft Duncan); Best song of the year - Osaziwayo (Iphupho).
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) also made its mark at the awards.
The public broadcaster walked away with the award for the SABC 1 music showRoots which showcases the various genres of traditional and indigenous music in a mixture of education and entertainment. - SAnews.gov.za
