Awards celebrate Eastern Cape musical talent
THE first Eastern Cape Music Awards (Ecmas) will be held on October 17 at the Multipurpose Centre in Wilsonia, East London.
The Ecmas are the brainchild of music producer and businessman Koko Godlo, who released a four-track album in 2013 promoting the ANC during the election campaign.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch this week, Godlo said the awards would cater both for artists born in the Eastern Cape and now living elsewhere, as well as those who are from elsewhere but now living in the province.
No work older than five years will be appraised.
He said artists invited included Nathi Mankayi, Mobi Dixon, Bethusile Mcinga, Butho Vuthela, iFani and Zahara.
“We had 21 categories, but then we included a new category for the artist with the most votes, and best currently-selling artist. Our list of categories is currently 23,” said Godlo.
Nominated artists include Berita, Zahara, Bethusile Mcinga, Ntando, Siphokazi, Busiswa, Ifani, Lusanda Mcinga, Butho Vuthela, Malibongwe Gcwabe, Yves, Dumi Mkokstad, Mavie M, Ruth Mafu, Lusizo Kango, Thandiswa Mazwai and Andile Seskhona.
Godlo said that while many artists from the province such as Zahara, Ntando and Siphokazi had received national and international accolades, not all had been recognised inside the province.
“We have a responsibility to celebrate them.”
A workshop will be held on September 26 at Gompo Hall in Duncan Village in preparation for the awards ceremony which would provide a learning opportunity for local up-and-coming artists.
“We call on all interested artists to attend. We will be training artists on how to conduct themselves in the industry.
“We will have Samro, bankers, representatives from the Eastern Cape Audio Visual Centre, EC Provincial Arts and Culture Council, record label managers, lawyers and some of the successful, established artists from the province to assist them and provide expert advice,” he said.
All artists who complete the workshop will be awarded certificates at the actual award ceremony.
To participate artists need to SMS “yes” to 083 621 1000.
Voting lines are open.
To vote for your favourite artist and community radio station, SMS 33459 “ECMASname of the category – name of the artist”.
You will receive an automatic reply.
Sms messages are charged at R1.50.
Tickets to the ECMA event cost R170 from Computicket, Shoprite/Checkers, House and Home, OK Furniture and U-save stores. —