Deadline for 2018 AFRIMA submissions looms

The call for entries was made on 25 May and only works, including songs, videos and journalism, released from 1 August 2017 to 1 August 2018 are eligible for consideration. Submissions are to be made online at the official AFRIMA website.

“I urge all musicians, record labels, music producers, music managers and the recording industry of Africa at large to take full advantage of the few days remaining before submissions close on 1 August,” said AFRIMA country director South Africa Lekunutu Sekobo.

“I encourage you to submit your crafts or submit on behalf of your clients in any of the suitable award categories. Africans should embrace this initiative by AFRIMA and show full cooperation and support. AFRIMA is the biggest platform where Africans are showing immense enthusiasm through music and art.

“I would also like to call on the Department of Arts and Culture under Minister Nathi Mthethwa and the Department of Tourism under Minister Derek Hanekom, not excluding corporate South Africans, to embrace and give full support to AFRIMA’s vision for Africa’s cultures renaissance so we can overcome the challenges confronting our continent as former President Thabo Mbeki championed in his term of office.”

Speaking about the support given to the awards body, AFRIMA director of brand communication Matlou Tsotetsi called on South Africa to encourage the scheme.

"We are immensely appreciative of the government of Lagos State in Nigeria and some corporate organisations from Nigeria and other countries," she said. "In our fifth edition, this is the perfect opportunity for other African governments to also align themselves with this pan-African project because it really does say that they are part of the pan-African community.

"I am calling on the government of South Africa, my home country, to throw her weight behind AFRIMA. South Africa will be sending a very positive message to the rest of the world, and also eradicate the perception that South Africans are not warm enough or welcoming enough to other Africans across the continent."

According to a statement from the award organisers, a “week-long adjudication process” will take place after the closure of the portal. This would lead to the presentation of the 2018 AFRIMA nominees list, which will, in turn, lead to “nominated artists, songs and videos… [slugging] it out with other regional and continental music contemporaries and legends to emerge winners of the AFRIMA 23.9 carat gold plated trophy”.

To submit work for consideration by AFRIMA, see here.