Kwaito and house music legends were honoured at the fourth annual Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards (MKHMA) held at Carnival City’s Big Top Arena.
Uhuru’s opening performance set the mood for the evening, before Sho Madjozi, real name Maya Wegerif, captivated the audience with a sterling performance of her hit single, John Cena, before gracefully accepting her MKHMA trophy.
Thebe Lenyora, as he is affectionately known, scooped the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to kwaito music. Other notable winners on the night included Mapaputsi, GP-MaOrange and Manqonqo.
The event was MCed by Massiv Metro’s DJ Sbu, real name Sbusiso Leope, who shot down the popular misconception that kwaito is dying. Sbu said the local breed of dance music is gradually evolving and producing sub-genres that many people regard as independent genres.
“Take amapiano and gqom for instance – that’s kwaito,” said Sbu.
Kwaito legend Mapaputsi (real name Sandile Ngwenya) agreed.
“Wow! What a year it’s been,” said Perfecta Malinga, MKHMA founder and CEO.
“I am proud of the growth that the Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards has gone through this past year and the exceptional work that the entire team has put into make this night happen. Thank you to all our partners who supported and stood by us through this period,” said Malinga, who also congratulated all the winners.
“To all the nominees who didn’t win, as MKHMA, we consider you as winners. I urge you not to lose hope as we still would like to see you at the fifth annual Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards.”
The full list of winners for the fourth annual MKHMA is as follows:
- Best Producer: Spikiri
- Best Kwaito Song of 2001–2005: Mapaputsi – Izinja (2003)
- Best Mapantsula Dance Group: Self-Made Dancers (SMD)
- Best House Artist: Masaladi
- Best New House Artist runner-up: Soul Majistik
- Best Kwaito Single Album: GP MaOrange – Intuthwane
- Best New Kwaito Artist: Maida
- Best New Kwaito Artist runner-up: Boitshepo Marumoagae
- Best House Single Album: Lady Zamar – This is Love
- Best House Radio Personality: Smanga “Darkness” Mhlophe (Siyathuthuka FM)
- Best Kwaito Radio Personality: Ona Leburu (Mahikeng FM)
- Radio Station that plays Kwaito Music: Mahikeng FM
- Best Music Video: GP MaOrange ft. Tsibi & RS – Faka Lento
- Best New Gqom Artist: 2Rum
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Thebe
- Best Collaboration (Kwaito/Gqom/House): Abofezela ft. Slovo – Ebandayo
- Best DJ: Nayshen SA
- Best Ggom Artist: Sho Madjozi
- Best New House Artist: OZana
- Most Voted Songs: Manqonqo ft Dason & Saviour – Eyadini
- Best New-Age Kwaito Song: Cassper Nyovest – Gets Getsa 2.0
- Best New-Age Kwaito Artist: Thulibathi
- Best Kwaito/Gqom Group or Duo: Soul Majistik
- Best Kwaito Artist: Not Guilty
For more information about the MKHMA, visit www.mkhma.co.za
