SA: Ladysmith Black Mambazo to host first Cothoza Music Awards

The awards are intended to honour isicathamiya artists and will feature live performances from LBM, The Soil, The Legacy and Abathandwa Ithemba.

“It has been a long-time dream for isicathamiya music to be recognised not only as a national music treasure, but also as a great cultural export," Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder Joseph Shabalala said.

Group member Albert Mazibuko said: "The awards will honour and acknowledge great contributions made by isicathamiya groups dating back from the era of Solomon Linda who created the globally known classic ‘Imbube’, and also acknowledge the current isicathamiya artists who are the torchbearers of this iconic music genre. The slogan for the first-ever COMAs is ‘Azibuye emasizweni' [Let's go back to our roots].

LBM’s Sibongiseni Shabalala said the awards were part of the group’s Mobile Academy Programme.

“This programme aims to revive and develop isicathamiya music by developing new groups and propelling established music groups who want to take their music to greater heights.” he said. “Through this programme, Ladysmith Black Mambazo runs masterclasses across the country and also discovers and develops isicathamiya and indigenous music talent. The LBM Mobile Academy Programme tours and visits arts centres, schools, organised arts formations and music students in universities around the country."

Award recipients will be honoured with special awards to recognise their contribution towards the upliftment of isicathamiya music.

Below are the recipients:

The Ingqwele Award

• The Playhouse Company
• Alexius Buthelezi
• Paulos Msimango

The Professor Joseph Shabalala Ingqalabutho Award

• Bhodloza Nzimande
• Milton Mazibuko
• Herdman Shabalala
• Victor Mkhize – Colenso Abafana Benkokhelo
• King Star Brothers
• Dlamini Home Defenders
• Newcastle Five Roses
• Easy Walkers
• Xolo Home Boys

The Solomon Linda Award

• Solomon Linda
• The Imbokodo Award
• Afrika Mamas

Tickets to the awards ceremony and concert are available via Webtickets.