Kwa-Thema – The South African Traditional Music Achievement Awards (Satma) founder honoured legendary broadcaster Themba Makeleni for his presentations in isiXhosa on August 31, in Freedom Park, Pretoria.
Makeleni’s 24-year SABC career began with a twist of fate.
“I applied for a job with one of the major petroleum companies and the SABC. I used to do documentaries, not presenting. But that is where they wanted me,” Makeleni said.
He said he always intended to promote indigenous languages, especially isiXhosa.
“I feel immense pressure in inculcating the language. I have met former presidents Mandela and Mbeki because of my work.
“They both said how my voice resonated with their mother tongue. I would encourage young people to study their African languages.
“Some think speaking English is superior, but now there is space for specialists and lecturers in indigenous languages. We need to translate important documents as well,” he explained.
Makeleni said he was nowhere near done with his work.
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The Satma founder, Dumisani Goba, was also honoured, as were:
• Former minister and former African Union chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma;
• Former deputy president and the former Speaker of the SA Parliament, Baleka Mbete;
• Former National Council of Provinces chairperson and the former defence minister, Thandi Modise;
• Freedom fighter, former deputy minister of tourism and ANCYL leader Peter Mokaba;
• Freedom fighter and first president of the ANCYL Anton Muziwakhe Lembede.
