Xitsonga Music Personified
| Monday 17 September 2012 08:27
Munghana Lonene FM, a Xisonga SABC radio station that was established in 1965, is building up to the launch of the Xitsonga Music Awards which will be taking place on the 20th of September 2012. The awards were first launched in 2003; this year marks the decade celebration of the awards. In essence, they will be bigger, better and out of this world!
"The reason behind the awards is to promote Xitsonga language through music and celebrate the cultural heritage of Vatsonga/Manchangana, as well as to use Xitsonga music and South African music in general, to disseminate structured messages intended to drive key societal campaigns, e.g. Health Issues, Human Rights, Women Empowerment Issues, Social Cohesion, etc", says Munghana Lonene FM’s Marketing Manager, Vongi Nkanyane.
The audience should expect an exclusive, well organised and sophisticated event that will be aimed at promoting Xitsonga Music. The awards are also a way of giving honor to musicians who takes pride in the Tsonga culture. To also acknowledge and reward musicians who contribute in uplifting the Xitsonga culture and heritage. With this gesture, Munghna Lonene FM aims to ensure that music remains a powerful instrument that helps deepen democracy as the awards are open to artists that are not necessarily Vatsonga but do or sing Xitsonga music.
"For me, this has been a great journey. I have been part of this journey since 2002. The then station manager, Mandla Soko appointed me as a project manager in 2003 and since then these awards have been part of me. I have no doubt that the 2012 version of Munghana Lonene FM Xitsonga Music Awards will assist the station to achieve its objective of growing audiences", says James Shikwambana, Munghana Lonene FM Station Manager.
The main Gala Event will take place on the 3rd November 2012 at Karibu Leisure Resort in Tzaneen, Limpopo. Mopani District Municipality is the sponsor and CCP Recording Company is the partner for the Xitsonga Music Awards.
By: Lebohang Sekete
