Wawela Awards 2013 – The low down.
SAMRO officials and music lovers at large gathered at the Sandton Convention Centre to pay homage to SA’s top songwriters and composers living in the country & abroad.
Before the awards ceremony went underway dinner was served: an exquisite 3-course meal enjoyed to the sounds of beautiful music while soft candlelight created the perfect ambiance.
To kick things off, funny guy 5FM breakfast show host Gareth Cliff, and stunner Azania Masoka of the newly launched PowerFM introduced themselves as MCs for the evening to an excited crowd, and then the show began.
The first performance of the night was by The Soil with a song from their hit album, followed by Black Porcelain, a young lady with an exquisite voice who many were experiencing for the first time. She took home awards for Best Female and Creative Album of the Year, becoming one of two artists to achieve such a feat, alongside Trevor Jones who scooped the Wawela Breaking Borders Award. The ever-lovely Lira took the award for Songwriter of the Year.
The show continued with stellar performances by Mam’ Dorothy Masuku and Mafikizolo performing Nontsokolo to the crowds delight, & she proved why she is a living legend by winning the Lifetime Achievement Award to celebrate her 60 years in the music biz. There was a spirited performance by Phuzekhemisi alongside Koos Kombuis, who sang a beautiful ballad to the soothing sound of his guitar.
The White Zulu AKA Johnny Clegg took us back to the days of Juluka & Sipho Mchunu & he also walked away with the prestigious Wawela Prolific Catalogue of Works award for his illustrious career spanning more than 3 decades.
The Inaugural Recognition Award was awarded to five well deserving composers. These are artists who have gone
beyond their call of duty to compose melodies that have dominated radio, TV and even international Film drama series. Notable winners included Lebo M, Mbongeni Ngema, Alan Lazar, Trevor Jones and Sizwe Zako who praised their peers for inspiration in their acceptance speeches.
As the night of celebration drew to a close, outgoing CEO of SAMRO Nick Motsatse’s two daughters surprised him with a piano & violin medley and the chairman of the SAMRO Board of directors, Rev. Abe Sibiya presented Mr Motsatse with a special award. He also thanked Mr Motsatse for his dedication and service to the state of South African music. Mafikizolo brought the house down with their single Khona which had all guests on their feet & getting down.
All in all it was an exquisite evening where the people behind the music finally got their chance under the spotlight. Awards like Wawela will play a great role in inspiring young people to explore their musical talents & It is for this reason that we look forward to seeing the awards grow from strength strength.
