LIMPOPO – ENTRIES for the third annual Tshivenda Music Awards opened last Wednesday, and this year’s winners will have a chunk of the R5.5 million budgeted for the ceremony.
Tshima is a strategic platform designed to recognise, promote and reward local artists who pride themselves in performing Tshivenda music, while preserving the rich heritage and cultural diversity of the Venda people.
Speaking during the launch of the awards at Joe Matsila Lodge near Elim, the organiser, Augustine Nethononda, said Tshima was a strategic intervention positioned to entrench social cohesion and nation-building.
“Since its inception in 2012, Tshima attracts people from all walks of life; local and national music industry representatives, artists, producers, private sector, government, academics and stakeholders. Propelled with the financial injection received from the National Lotteries Board in partnership with the Matsila Community Development Trust and Rodibrite, this year’s event promises to be at its best,” said Nethononda.
Phalaphala FM manager, Fred Sadiki, admitted that the 2013 Tshima Awards did not go well as the artists were paid late.
He said the station was forced to postpone the event due to the passing of Nelson Mandela and that also caused the delay of payments.
“Don’t doubt your station, this will not occur this year. Produce and sing your music in Tshivenda and we will play it on radio,” he said.
Chief Livhuwani Matsila appealed to the community to stop music piracy as it crippled the music industry and artists.
“Artists are famous because we listen to their music, but they die empty-handed. Let’s respect them because music is business,” he said.
The deputy minister of arts and culture, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, said Tshivenda artists should stop the notion that indigenous songs don’t sell.
“We opened the Mzansi Golden Economy in February, where artists and crafters may apply for funding. We want to re-position artists and crafters.
“Government also has a book distribution programme written in our indigenous languages for schools, so that children should know their language,” said Mabudafhasi.
One of the artists, Joe Mbiza, popularly known as Zozo, said Tshima gave artists a platform.
Submissions should be sent to Phalaphala FM on the Hospital and Landross Mare Streets in Polokwane or Phalaphala FM studio in Thohoyandou.
Entries close on June 8 at 12:00 and the award ceremony will be held on June 27.
The venue is yet to be announced.
