There’s room for improvement at the South African Music Awards. Peter Makurube has some suggestions
On May 13 the South African music industry took time off at the Sun City Superbowl to pat itself on the back. Unlike the cultural boycott busting days, the audience was at least representative of the country’s population.
The who’s who of showbiz were there in force, as well as the paying public. The latter came to see Brenda Fassie – she did not pitch. Howls of disappointment from the masses.
Most of the award winners were expected to win. Fassie won three categories: best female, song of the year and best album. It is an amazing comeback for the spunky singer who not so long ago teetered on the verge of obscurity. The award for best male artist went to singer, Ringo, in a category that could have included more top names.
TKZee won in three categories: best kwaito album (Halloween) best kwaito song (Shibobo) and best group.
Mankunku Ngozi won the traditional jazz category with his Molo Africa. Though revered, and the album hailed by critics, Zim Ngqawana should have been rewarded for his fresh debut Zimology. The contemporary section was won by Moses Molelekwa for his Genes & Spirits, with stiff competition from veterans Sipho Gumede, Errol Dyers, Don Laka and Alan Kwela.
The instrumental section went to Soweto String Quartet, though Paul Hanmer’s Window To Elsewhere was definitely the more innovative work, and Deepak Ram’s Flute For Thought was another hot contender.
Battery 9 took the best rock album section while the best pop album award went to singer Karma with One Day Soon.
In the African pop section, newcomers Bongo Maffin upstaged established acts like Bayete, Fassie, Wendy and Mahube.
The gospel section held no suprises – Rebecca Malope’s only real competition came from her backing band, Pure Magic. Like Fassie, she failed to make it to the event.
The dance album section was won by the hot duo, DJ’s at Work. This was quite expected because Chicco’s Mamatilda had failed to set dance floors alight.
The adult contemporary category was won by Sibongile Khumalo. Skeem’s E’smile was expected to win the R&B category and he did. Later he took to the stage with his band Ghetto Luv and Kyllex, an explosive performer with a big future.
The hotly contested maskandi section went to superstar Phuzekhemese, while the Soul Brothers took the mbaqanga award.
Mahlatini and the Mahotella Queens finally got acknowledgement when they were presented with a lifetime achievement award. Yet another old trouper, Abdullah Ibrahim, got the award for most outstanding contribution to local music.
The presentation of the event was fairly good with occasional glitches. The use of the big screen and the roving camera did much to give the affair a semblance of glitz. The two main presenters, comedian Martin Jonas and actress and television presenter Nkhensani Maganyi were far better than the usual, self- conscious lot normally culled from radio and TV personalities. They had their moments of brilliance but at times were quite pedestrian. Maganyi and Vusi Twala, son of famed radio diva, Shado, gave sterling performances and, bar a few irritating “words of wisdom”, came out tops.
The award ceremony needs to tone down a few things, among them the sponsor’s name that has become more prominent than the event. It’s okay with sports but not the arts. Can you imagine the Coca Cola Oscars, Microsoft Grammies or IBM Tony’s?
The judges line-up is also another worrying factor. With the exception of a few, most seemed unqualified to sit on the panel. What’s wrong with including legends like Hotep Galeta, Caiphus Katse Semenya, Gibson Kente, Johnny Mekoa or Jonas Gwangwa?
Tribal categories should also be dismissed since the trend these days is towards crossing boundries. For example, on his latest recording Ringo sings a song in Afrikaans. Likewise, Koos Kombuis sings in English while Johnny Clegg sings in Zulu.
To make this event truly international, organisers should start booking our international stars now. Miriam Makeba, Jonathan Butler, Tony Cedras (who should’ve been considered for best album for Vision Over People), Lucky Dube, Letta Mbulu, Caiphus Semenya, Louis Moholo, Sathima Bea Benjamin, Trevor Rabin, Ladysmith Black Mambazo should all be there.
With these musicians under one roof the world would stand still and look at what we have to give.