By Mohalenyane Phakela
MASERU — For many Basotho, having their compatriots being nominated or even winning awards at the glamorous South African Music Awards (SAMA) over the years has been a source of profound joy and, of course, national pride.
However, this time around, many were dismayed as local acts did not win anything or even get nominated in the 20th edition of the SAMAs which took place on Monday at Sun City, North West.
The lingering question since the awards ceremony is whether the standard of the local music industry has deteriorated since the last awards or that SAMAs organisers have simply lost interest in foreign productions.
The Weekender this week contacted the Lesotho Music Rights Association (LMRA) to get their perspective on the outcome of the SAMAs awards.
“We do not consider the artistes that have been making it big at the SAMAs part of our regime,” said a LMRA representative who was reluctant to disclose his identity.
“It is true that they are Basotho but then, they are artistes who produce their music in South Africa and get promotion and distribution deals that side. So, they are not directly associated with us.
“We have not yet had an artiste who is part of our association take part in South African awards, either SAMAs or SATMA. It is not that we do not want to be part of them but we are not getting much from the government to boost our morale.
“We really need all the support we can get so that we can foster working relations with South African musicians and distributors for us to get our music out there,” the official added.
“It is every musicians dream to break the boundaries and distribute his or her offerings beyond Lesotho’s borders. But there is not much we can do as the association at the moment as we do not have funds to advocate for such.”
Full list of SAMAs winners:
Best Pop Album — Mafikizolo Reunited, Best Pop Album — Karlien van Jaarsveld Uitklophou, Best Adult Contemporary Album –– Shaun Jacobs Love Can, Best Rock Album — Van Coke Kartel Blood, Sweet & Trane, Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album — Elvis Blue Afrikaans, Best African Adult Album — Zonke Give And Take Live, Best Alternative Album — Nakhane Tour Brave Confusion, Best RnB, Soul and Reggae –– The Soil Reflections Live In Joburg, Best Kwaito Album –– Big Nuz Made In Africa, Best Rap Album — iFani I Believes In Me (1st Quadrant), Best Traditional Faith Music — Rebecca Bayos’Khomba, Best Dance Album — Mi Casa Su Casa, Best Contemporary Faith Music Album — Nqubeko Mbatha Sentiments Of A Worshiper, Best Traditional Album — Dr. Thomas Chauke Na Shinyori Sisters Shimatsatsa No 32, Best Maskandi Album — Thokozani Langa Inyakanyaka, Best Jazz Album — Shane Cooper Oscillations, Best Classical and/or Instrumental Album — Guy Buttery Live In KwaZulu, Best Live DVD — Zonke Give and Take Live, Best Collaboration — Mafikizolo Ft May D Happiness, Lifetime Achievement Award — Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Phuzekemisi, International Achievement Award — Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Music Video of the Year — The Parlotones, Khuli Chana & Jon Savage Sleepwalker, Best Selling DVD –– Joyous Celebration Gartefeul Vol.17, Best Selling Mobile Music Download –– Mafikizolo Khona, Best Ring Back Tone –– Mafikizolo Khona, Best Selling Full Track Download –– Mafikizolo Khona, Highest Airplay of the Year — DJ Kent ft The Arrows Spin My World Around, Best Selling Album of the Year — Zahara Phendula, Best Producer of the Year — Darryl Torr Yes/No/Grey, Best Engineer of the Year — Peter Auret Pimp My Piano, Remix of the Year — Oskido Tsa Ma Ndebele, Newcomer of the Year — Naima Kay Umsebenzi, Duo or Group of the Year — Mafikizolo Reunited, Female Artist of the Year — Zahara Phendula, Male Artist of the Year — Kabomo Memory Remains, Album of the Year — Mafikizolo Reunited and Record of the Year — Mafikizolo Reunited.
