Mushy intro to South Africa’s new dance awards

THE inaugural SA Dance Music Awards at the end of the month is set to provide a mushy introduction to South Africa’s latest awards ceremony.

The ceremony, on September 30 at Gold Reef City’s The Lyric Theatre, has been themed “The Honorary Awards – The Nostalgia Awards”, and proposes something other than dance music.

Superstar DJs Fresh, Christos, Greg Maloka, Vinny da Vinci and Oskido had to explain more than three times – after leaving journalists at a press conference yesterday confused – that the real business will begin next year when the awards enter their second year.

This year will have no judging panel, no categories or nominations, and no set criteria for artistic consideration.

The show, to be hosted by Thembi Seete and Ishmael “Ishmiza” Morabe, will honour record labels and individuals that have led the genres of house, kwaito and hip-hop in the past two decades, according to Maloka.

Expect Kalawa Jazmee (which has produced for Boom Shaka, Bongo Maffin, Mafikizolo, Thebe, Professor, Winnie Khumalo and Kabelo) to scoop quite a few awards, especially with Mandla “Spikiri” Mofokeng and Oskido himself heading the indie label.

Arthur Mafokate and his 999 Music label also stands to scoop big – the late Lebo Mathosa, Godfrey “Zombo” Ndlovu and Brenda Fassie all worked with 999, so did Lira, Mandoza, Speedy, Joe Nina and Chiskop.

Maloka said yesterday: “It’s important for the public to understand that this is an effort to begin something. We must stress that they [Honorary Awards] are based on our experience and on the people who we can point out as having been significant players in the industry.” The presenters will include DJ Tira, Mandoza and rapper Amu.

They will be there to take care of formalities, but it looks like a major throwback party is planned, because while the full and final names of performers and their set lists are being kept under wraps, the prospect of Trompies, Mdu, Skeem and Mzekezeke on stage is enough to whet kwaito lovers’ appetites.

Tickets for the awards are on sale at Computicket – the cheapest going at R250, and the priciest at R500.