Bongani Majola
Sama 8, the eighth South African Music Awards, takes on a ground- breaking spin this weekend with a two-day extravaganza of fashion, cross-genre live performances and, of course, plenty of gossip.
The recently concluded, rather fruitless inter-Congolese dialogue brought about the change of venue from the regular Sun City deal to the 900-seater Vodaworld in Midrand, Johannesburg. The event has also been divided into a two-night affair in response to persistent complaints about the length of the ceremony that covers 44 categories in all.
One of the best things about the night may turn out to be the presenter, Unathi Nkayi, the Castle Loud presenter and Yfm DJ who makes life in the spotlight look like a breeze. She is sussed and amiable, and, on the evidence presented on the big night, her fans will observe that there is nothing like her in the bohemian gear of fashion house Sun Goddess.
One of the award’s most unfortunate features is the prolonged boycott by one of the country’s most talent-laden record labels, Kalawa Jazmee, who will only be represented by kwaito supergroup Bongo Maffin, who have been nominated for the Best Duo or Group category, best music video, best african pop album. In the best group section Maffin are the favourites in competition with Watershed, Jazzworx and kwaito peers TKZee and Chiskop.
The tragedy of Kalawa Jazmee’s omission is that three of the biggest hits of the summer came from their stable. First there was Brothers of Peace’s Zabalaza Project B containing Zabalaza and Meropa, inspired by a Mahlathini sample. Trompies provided the spunky Ketswahole. All these entries would have provided stiff competition in the kwaito category, so we are poorer for their absence.
The stable’s decision to give the showpiece a miss rests on the argument that the awards consistently fail to reflect the public choice. That argument is unfortunate. Trompies would do well to cast their minds back to 1996, when they released the sensual Magasman with the then Boom Shaka vocalist Lebo Mathosa. This was also the year when M’Du offered his classic Mazolo. In tele-votes the public shunned both hits and voted for the puerile Oyi Oyi from Arthur as song of the year. If the public was to continue making such dreadful decisions, what reasons would Trompies then offer for their stay-away? The public has a short memory; they tend to vote for what thuds in their ears at the time of voting.
This year, the public has been given a wider say in the awards. To add to their song-of-the-year vote, the masses can now choose both artist of the year and music video of the year. The composition of the voting audience, mainly young and black, will leave us with a situation where videos like Claire Johnston’s Fearless will not even get considered. This category must be given back to a panel of technical experts.
Back to Bongo Maffin, who should see their way to winning at least one of their nominations. Their talent was again in evidence last weekend at the Divas Jazz Concert at Germiston Lake where they put on a tumultuous show, even without their deported Zimbabwean raggamaffin rapper, Appleseed.
With their distinct brand of kwaito, tinged with strong Afro-pop beats and lyrics, Bongo Maffin is the only kwaito group that is complemented by a live band. They don’t mime their songs. In short, they are original and South Africans love them.
One of the most emotional moments of the Sama ceremony will be the handing out of the lifetime achievement award, which will be posthumously proffered to composer, poet and authority on Zulu folklore and music, Princess Constance Magogo kaDinizulu Buthelezi. Consultant to many academics and musicologists in her lifetime, Princess Magogo sang until a few days before her death in 1984. Admired for her vocal talent and mastery of a variety of instruments, she was also universally loved for her unique ability to recite the praises of her royal ancestors.
The two other recipients of the award are David Gresham and Tshetereke Albert Ralulimi. Gresham is being honoured for his three decades as a South African music and broadcast personality. Credited with introducing the term “Local is lekker” on Springbok Radio, Gresham remains the country’s only DJ to be offered an interview with John Lennon in 1969. His record company, one of the oldest in the land, is synonymous with such international acts as Kylie Minogue, Ace of Base and, most recently, Nickelback.
Ralulimi started his illustrious career with the formation of his own pennywhistle band, The Basement Band, in the 1950s. Currently a documentation manager with Gallo Records, Ralulimi not only ranks as the company’s oldest employee, but also as the longest tenured employee still working anywhere in the South African music industry. Also known as Kid Ma Wrong Wrong, Ralulimi is arguably the country’s most knowledgeable person on urban African music. The award is long overdue.
Also on display for celebrity- spotting journalists, will be the usual Sama-night glamour and style. Early in the week, a privileged audience got a foretaste of the collection of trend- setting designs from Koketso, Dennis Manthata and from SABC1’s image consultant, Ephraim Molingwana of Ephymol.
Other nominees include Brenda Fassie, Judith Sephuma, Lungiswa, Suthukazi Arosi and TK for best female artist.
Nominees for best male artist are Jabu Khanyile, Jimmy Dludlu, Louis Mhlanga, Themba Mkhize and Zim Ngqawana.
It promises to be two memorable nights the country’s own version of the Grammys, complete with controversy and drama.
The details
Catch the two-hour edited version of the Sama awards on SABC1 at 8pm on May 4