SATMAs announces winners as youths protest

The veteran rapper said he was flattered to be recognised by the SATMAs and that the award was a testament to his success in the South African music industry.

“Having seen so many people rippling from that [my career] is just an overwhelming honour. This event is a platform that is all about indigenous and traditional music. Acknowledging our role of pushing indigenous music through contemporary music is just a beautiful thing,” the South African Broadcast Corporation quoted the artist as saying.

Saturday's event turned political when a group of five young people walked onstage with placards that read “#FeesMustFall” and “Pay Back the Money”, protesting against rising university fees and the Nkandla scandal in which South African President Jacob Zuma was ordered by the Constitutional Court to reimburse the state for security upgrades to his private home in the KwaZulu-Natal province.

The protesters, Times Live said, peacefully joined a choir that had opened the SATMA Awards with the national anthem at the Mmabatho Convention Centre. The protest took place in the presence of Minister of Public Service and Administration Faith Muthambi who was seated in the front row.

“We would like to apologise for the placards that were shown here earlier,” founder of the awards Dumisani Gobo said. “We do not know those people and they were not authorised by us. We are going to deal with them decisively.”

Despite the interruption, the awards ceremony went on to successfully crown the winners in 38 categories. 

Here is the winners’ list:

Best Male Artist/Group

• Majotha

Best Female Artist/Group

• Buselaphi

Best Afro Song

• Bheki Nqoko

Best African Jazz Song

• Azah

Best Reggae Album

• Black Jaman

Best Praise Singer

• Jessica Mbangeni

Best Poet

• Magcwabe Imbongi

Best Indigenous Comedian

• Hallo M

Best Newcomer Artist/Group

• Ezendidane

Best Traditional Dance Group

• Dithaga Tsa Ga Mme Halenyane

Best Mbaqanga Album

• Sphamandla Masondo

Best a capella (Isicathamiya) Album

• Thee Legacy

Best Traditional Outfit

• Zinhle Jikela

Best Cultural Electronic Media Journalist

• Zimkhitha Manqinana

Best Cultural Print Media Journalist

• Lulamile Feni

Best Cultural Exhibitor

• Rolia Marope

Best Cultural Radio Program Loyal Listener

• William Mahlangu

Best Traditional DJ (Community Radio)

• Siyaxola Sobantu

Best Department of Arts and Culture

• Mpumalanga

Best Sepedi Album

• Seremi

Best Tshivenda Album

• Mazwale Volume 3

Best Xitsonga Album

• Sir Jambatani

Best IsiNdebele Album

• Mhlokonywa Kabungela

Best IsiXhosa Album

• 100% Ngcobela

Best Setswana Album

• Dinonyane Cultural Group

Best Indian Album

• Vernon Govender

Best Sesotho Album

• Haeso ha Ramatla No 3

Best Boeremusiek

• Die Ventertjies

Best Traditional TV Programme

• Golden Circle

Best Maskandi Album

• Amageza Amahle

Best Vernacular Hip Hop Song

• Papzito

Best Traditional Radio Station of the Year

• Ligwalagwala FM

Best Traditional Music Radio Programme of the Year

• Lwesuka Lutfuli

Lasting Legacy Awards

• Mtshengiseni ‘Indidane’
• Busi Mhlongo
• Mqgumeni
• Saba Mbixane
• Oliver Tambo
• Stompie Mavi

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Thuso Motaung
• Mzwakhe ‘Madala’ Kunene
• Shwi NoMtekhala,
• Jabulani ‘HHP’ Tsambo
• Mahotela Queens
• Blondie Makhene
• Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse

Special Award

• Sthembiso ‘Mroza’ Fakude

Best Song of the Year

• Izindlovukazi Zikamageba

Best Traditional Radio Presenter of the Year

• Monwabisi Bangi ‘Gudla’