Zooming on the SAMAs

The MTN 17th Annual Music Awards which was moved to Montecasino in Fourways, north of Jo'burg after a successful stint over the years in Sun City, North West took place this weekend which closed off an eventful week.

To begin with the venue was criticized as being small but having two stages was a good idea, I always emphasized that the public should be given first preference and be housed around the stage and not the so-called VIP's because they (public) bring the event to live with the cheers, screams and the likes. As for the line up for the night... geez! one would swear we were on Jacaranda FM.

The organizers roped in Majota 'Phat Joe' Khambule and Bonang 'Ur gal B' Matheba as hosts, well Jojo is controversial (no wonder he was censored) and can be funny at times I can live with that but Bonang oh, please! She's one of the reason I don't watch Live Music Show (the other being Minnie 'Minaj' Dlamini) as she is too loud (which is good for voice-over) beats me how she got a slot on YFM but then again what has the once fierce youth station become lately but at least she is better than the twins.

The event was a big yawn and a complete bore except for closing performance by Zakes 'Bum Bum' Bantwini whom I believe deserved an award on the night; and of cause Professor a graduate from the varsity of Kalawa stable who scooped three awards but taking to the stage with Mzansi's gold-digger Khanyi 'Blackberry' Mbau is a recipe for disaster. Could it be that she spotted a gold mine in the Jezebel star? Take a leaf from Mandla. Ray 'Chikapa' Phiri deserves a mention on a Sipho Gumede's classic and that goes for Vusi Mahlasela as well.

It felt right for a change to have someone other than Rebecca Malope winning the Gospel award and it wasn't surprising to later learn that she dashed. I hope the former street-kid Sechaba Padi won't trade the award for a quick buck as he is said to be at loggerheads with his manager at Bula Records over money owed to him.

Earlier on one of the oldest team Orlando Pirates were crowned PSL 2010/1 Champions after a ten year drought and knowing how passionate we are about our football it is therefore understandable to brag about such achievement as they earned the rights but for a political party is a no-no. At some point I wondered if these were music or political awards.

As a norm two awards went to the late Bhekumuzi Luthuli and Sipho Gumede respectively which goes to show that as an artist in our country you are only appreciated once you no more. It was also a wise decision by Liquideep to withdraw their nomination in the 'newcomer of the year' category, how sick and degrading that can be? Congratulations to all the winners and to those who didn't better luck next time!!!

OVERALL WINNERS...

Best African Traditional Gospel Album:
Sechaba - Thank You

Best Contemporary Jazz Album: Ological Studies - OS Freedom

Best Maskandi Album: Bhekumuzi Luthuli - Imali ya belungu

Best Sokkie Dans Album: Kurt Darren - Die beste medisyne

Best Pop Album English: Jax Panik - I am Jax Panik

Best Urban Dance Album: DJ Kent - I can't survive

Best Urban Pop Album: Kwela Tebza - Gauteng made in South Africa/Mzansi

Best Pop Album Afrikans: Juanita du Plessis - Engel van my heart

Best Pop Album African: Theo Kgosinkwe - Grateful

Best Rock Album English: Prime Circle - Jekyll & Hyde

Best Kwaito Album: Professor - University of Kalawa Jazzmee

Best Rap Album: Amu - The Principal

MTN Best Selling Mobile Music Download: DJ Cleo & DJ Muzi

Music Video of the Year: The Parlotones - The stars fall down

Best Selling Album: Locnville - Sun in my pocket

Newcomer of the Year: Locnville - Sun in my pocket

Duo/Group of the Year: Liquideep - Fabrics of the Heart

International Achievement Award: Die Antwoord

Lifetime Achievement Award: Sipho Gumede & Lance James

Female Artist of the Year: Thandiswa Mazwai - The forgotten free (live in concert)

Male Artist of the Year - Professor - University of Kalawa Jazmee

MTN Record of the Year: Professor - Imoto

Album of the
Year: Liquideep - Fabrics of the Heart

Aftermath

This picture caused an uproar on my social pages prior to municipal elections that took place this week with 'loyalists' citing Photoshop when in fact it had nothing to do with that. In a bid to woo voters in Midvaal, the ruling party took it upon themselves to campaign. In presence was the controversial youth league president Julius Sello Malema, as usual promises were made and other parties and it's leaders ridiculed which goes to show how dirty politics can get.

Among the bold statements uttered by the chubby leader which ended with a signature song 'ibhunu' but this time around with a twist of lyrics were:

* Democratic Alliance being a white only party with a madam dancing like a monkey;

* Inkatha Freedom Party, a traditionalist party which doesn't believe in women being leaders; and

* Two separate COPE (i.e. One of Lekota and the other of Shilowa) and how the ANC president is democratically elected by people and not the court.

It must have been a huge blow for him loosing the hate-speech court case brought against him with a plea to appeal turned down, we haven't heard the last of it (as it has been brought before the Equality Court) and I bet now his attention will be channeled on nationalization of mines as his request for the government to curb tenders ain't surprising as he already has benefited immensely.

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Most parties held their closing rallies few days before the elections and analysts warned that this should not be mistaken for marks on the ballot paper, indeed this was evident as most people boycotted the elections and it doesn't take a genius to figure out why.

As it stand the ANC triumphed in the Northern Cape which house Orania (which is an Afrikaner community) but the same cannot be said about the highly contested Midvaal.

DELIVERANCE

Irrespective of who came out victors I strongly believe it's about time ordinary people get the first preference and lack of service delivery be a thing of the past. We have been fed manifestos, promises and now mandate has to be maintained. Putting blame on the apartheid regime is a lame excuse considering how people lack basic things like water while politicians are mocking each other and corruption being the order of the day. Never again should we have civilians killed for protesting for what is rightfully theirs, at least these leaders owe that to ALL the struggle heroes.

There's music in the air

Music is undoubtedly one of the finest crafts everywhere in the world and just how far are artists prepared to go in satisfying their listeners. The world is revolving and as such the music industry has had to keep up with the pace.

As glamorous as this industry is, it will not be fair if I don't mention the hardship that goes with it. In Europe, United States to be precise musos are enjoying the limelight and sky rocketing sales but in our country it's a complete different story.

Each and every country take pride in their own type of music as it defines them and sets them apart from others therefore it is with sadness that one of the proudly South African music genre 'Kwaito' has been hit by a slump that it is as good as been considered dead. This kind of music which was a hit back in the 90s made waves and proved that indeed we too can be creative. Kwaito's downfall was a result of certain musicians who couldn't refrain from using profanity in their lyrics and those who would sing a one-liner from start to finish, who in their right mind will fork out seventy rands to purchase an album that contain twelve tracks with only two songs that are worth listening to?

The introduction of House music in our country saw remixes of some of the good music pity because the pioneers were at times not consulted let alone received royalties for their work.

Creativity is one of the key elements when it comes to surviving, all the energy, time and dedication put into producing an album only for it to be pirated really is depressing. In our shores creativity is often compromised which is why album sales hardly reach platinum and one hit wonders are contributing a lot. It's all about quick-buck which I believe is disrespecting the audience big time.

Just recently a well-known disc spinner sampled a great classic on his album without permission and is reluctant to pay what is due and looking back on his musical background he is no stranger to such stuff; the very same deejay once made a mockery of a payoff line of a banking institution that funded a jazz festival. So, you tell me which direction our music industry is heading?

Deliver us from evil

When I was growing up I was taught that church is a place where people gather with a common vision which was to praise God as a collective. It is often understood that by so doing the lord can hear us (as opposed to being alone) and simultaneously find favours for us and deliver on what we ask for (e.g. Peace, unity, tolerance, etc)

Back then there was what we referred to as moruti (reverend) but because we are brainwashed by the western culture we now have pastors, prophets and born-again christians; it goes without saying that religion and the manner in which we worship has taken a drastic step from where it was to date. Just exactly what churches are all about these days?

The last time I set my foot at church was when rules were set on tithes, right there and then I knew that it was no longer about praising the lord but fulfilling the desires of the earth. Churches are now monetary driven than ever before hence they are gauged on
the assets they possess.

In South Africa alone we have well-known churches (of which I prefer not to mention) headed by so-called pastors who by now are known to be multi-millionaire as a result of Sunday's takings. Correct me if I am wrong, as much as some church leaders aren't expected to hold employment elsewhere why should there be a start-up to what I can contribute based on what I can afford?

Show me a church where you can don the same attire for the whole month and you won't have gossipmongers whispering behind your back. Whatever happened to churches caring for the needy, housing them and maintaining the mentality that we are equal before God eyes? Will there be a day where christians cease to compete with each others mainly because they don't attend the same church?

Not yet Uhuru

With a week away to the polls where South Africans will be casting their votes for the local municipality; I must admit that I am one of those who are sceptical about doing so. A lot of masses stressed how vital voting is; I asked why should I bother? And i was met with 'its a pass that gives you the voice to air your views' response. Is that so...

Our elders fought tirelessly under the oppression by the apartheid regime in a sense that someday me and many others will live freely in our native land.

Taking part in the struggle that resulted in democracy; how would those who shed blood like to see become of the effort put to changing lives?

I don't want to dwell much on the politicians as the thought of them irks me but then again how can I shy away as they are the leaders tasked to foresee that the citizens of this country receive the 'better lives' that are forever promised to them prior elections.

Just as we celebrated Freedom Day late last month I underwent an agonising experience in exploring how a life of a less privilege people who still reside in a shack (despite voting a couple of times and had their names struck off the waiting list by corrupt councillors mainly because they couldn't afford to pay a bribe so they can get an RDP house for over ten years) changed since we are dubbed free and have rights.

I was astonished by the living conditions of some of our people, it's a norm that most of us grew up in dire poverty and strived to make something out of our lives but how do you explain living in an environment that lack basic needs? As this take place in a rich province of Gauteng what will become of rural areas? In this day and age it is totally uncalled for to still be having children attending school lessons under a tree OR a leaking roof with unstable walls meanwhile there are leaders with bulging tummies cruising around in luxury wheels, dining at expensive hotels and restaurants and spending taxpayers money as if its falling from the sky. We really are being taken for a ride yet we are expected to vote, what is it that we are voting for? Could it be to enrich someone...

One can live without electricity as alternative can be found but water is something else altogether, yes change takes time and its a process but until when will our people suffer? I am very fond of a pay-off line that goes 'Political parties don't own our vote, they have to earn them' and loyalty has prevailed over the years for our people thus arrogancy from certain individuals. The only time you will have a surprise visit from politicians and their entourage is when they canvass and campaign for our votes and that is the last you will see them. It beats me that for over
seventeen years people don't realise this.

I can only hope that someday God will find favours for those who are destitute and deliver them from the bad treatment they are made to be the recipient of just like he did with his children during Moses era.