Another SAMA for our own Nduduzo Makhathini
Nduduzo Makhathini, University of Fort Hare head of music department, won the best jazz album at the South African Music Awards (SAMA) over the weekend for his new album, iKhambi. The awards were held at the Sun City, North West on 1st June. This however was not his first SAMA’s achievement as he conquered the same category in last year’s ceremony. The jazz maestro was also awarded the best artist in African jazz in the all Africa music awards in Lagos last year.
“I always feel awards are for record labels and for someone who owns one, I went there as a record label owner and not as an artist. It came as a surprise to me and I am grateful”, he humbly admitted. Makhathini said that iKhambi album is based on an idea that for people to contribute positively to the greater consciousness, one has to first work on themselves as individuals.
His first SAMA nominations were in 2015 and 2016 for Mother Tongue and Listening tothe Ground respectively. He was nominated alongside Darren English, Sydney Mavundla, Dave Reynolds & Paps Mohamed and Thandiswa Mazwai. Makhathini believes that the award is an indication that his voice is accepted and that it is every artist or cultural worker’s dream for their message to reach more people.
He is reaching more people currently through his music and as HOD at UFH through a variety of mentorship programmes and constantly finding ways of inspiring not only his students but young people in general through the Eastern Cape Audio Visual Centre based in East London which is also powered by the provincial Department of Sport Recreation Arts and Culture.