SA musicians play a waiting game during awards delay
SOUTH African artists will have to wait a while longer to find out if they are winners at the All Africa Music Awards (Afrima) after the annual event was postponed.
The awards ceremony was set to take place in Lagos, Nigeria, tonight. Organisers were forced, however, to postpone the event because of concerns that have arisen over the Ebola epidemic.
Electronic duo Goldfish, house group Mi Casa, Afro-soul singer Lira, rock group The Parlotones, trio Mafikizolo and several other South African artists have been nominated for the prestigious awards.
Afro-electro group CODA Africa have scored a first by being nominated in two categories.
Despite Nigeria having been certified Ebola-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the sponsors of the awards had stated their concer ns over the increasing scourge of Ebola and attendees’ apprehensions.
The organisers have yet to set a new date for the ceremony, but, on the upside, music fans now have until the end of the month to continue casting votes for their favourite artists.
Afrima spokesman Rikki Stein said they had made a wise, but painful, decision to postpone.
“The goals and aspirations of Afrima remain unchanged, as does the commitment of Afrima’s regional directors,” said Stein.
“This should not diminish the deter mination of the Afrima team to find a solution. Only a glittering, well-produced event could culminate from so much effort. Nothing less will suffice.”