Local legend honoured for commitment to SA music
Elandsfontein resident receives music award.
He has been making and supporting local music for almost 50 years and was recently honoured for it.
Elvis impersonator Oupa Elvis (Sarel) Wolmarans is a local legend and the Elandsfontein resident is extremely excited about the award he received from Klub Melodie and Triangle Musiek, which acknowledges his work throughout the years.
He was among a number of artists to receive awards at a glittering award function at Sharkey Town in Vanderbijlpark, recently.
“I was so overwhelmed,” said Oupa.
“I never expected to be acknowledged in this way.”
The special award was bestowed on him by Marius de Vos from the company for his unwavering, years-long support of South African music, especially country music and its artists.
In December last year, Oupa had to have part of his right leg amputated but this has not stopped him from continuing his work and he still performs charity concerts (the only difference is that he is now in a wheelchair) and helps promote and sell SA music.
He told the GCN that due to the support of his wife Cheri he is able to continue his work.
At the award ceremony he was asked to perform two songs but could only manage one – he sang “Because He Lives” by Jimmy Swaggart and got so emotional he could not continue.
“It was just such an unexpected award as I don’t do what I do for recognition,” Oupa said.
“I can’t explain how it felt when they gave it to me.”
Oupa added that he will continue to support local music as he believes everyone has a space in life and the sun must shine on all of us.
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