Celebrating living legends
ACHIEVERS: ACCOLADES FOR TOP SA MUSOS Wawela Music Awards honour creative trailblazers.
The Wawela Music Awards ( WMAs) have revealed the recipients of the special awards categories before the event,in Johannesburg on Friday. The WMAs special awards categories are: breaking through the borders award; prolific catalogue of works award; and the lifetime achievement award.
The recipients of the awards are Jonathan Butler (breaking through the borders), Don Laka (prolific catalogue of works) and Dr Thomas Chauke (lifetime achievement).
The trio were decided after an extensive selection process by a panel of judges comprising music industry role players.
“Our esteemed judges felt that these artists have proven their worth over the past few decades and they thought it fitting to celebrate their achievements at an occasion such as this,” says Tiyani Maluleke, general marketing manager of the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (Samro).
Previous winners of the breaking through the borders award include international film score composer Trevor Jones and Ladysmith Black Mambazo frontman Joseph Shabalala.
It is awarded to South African-born composers and songwriters who have a proven track record of achieving international success. Now, it’s Butler’s turn.
Prolific catalogue of works award winner Laka is a seasoned jazz musician with an inclination towards swing, pop, kwaito, African traditional, funk and rock n’ roll.
Previous recipients of this award include Johnny Clegg and Mandla “Spikiri” Mofokeng.
It is awarded to a Samro member and composer who has an extensive catalogue of original compositions.
The lifetime achievement award winner is traditional Xitsonga music stalwart Chauke.
Previous winners in this category include the legendary songstress Dorothy Masuka and Chicco Twala. Chauke has sold more than four million copies from 34 albums, from 1980 to 2014.
“It is important to celebrate artists while they are still alive. It also gives them the opportunity to reflect on their accomplishments and see their own work acknowledged by their peers in their lifetime,” says Maluleke.
Laka and Chauke will be showcasing their legendary talent at this year’s WMAs ceremony.
Other performances expected on the night will be from WMAs nominees Mi Casa, Berita Khumalo and RJ Benjamin. – Citizen reporter
The Wawela Music Awards will take place on Friday in Johannesburg.