Mi Casa win big, Chauke, Laka honoured

Don Laka

Don Laka

Published Jul 1, 2015

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The third annual Wawela Music Awards shone the spotlight on commercial South African artists at a glittering affair that was hosted by Sindy Mabe and Jason Greer.

House maestros, Mi Casa, took home the coveted Best Creative Album of the Year award, while Berita’s hit, Thandolwethu, won the Best South African Duo/Group.

Nomfundo Xaluva and Elvis Blue scooped the Best Female Artist and Composer/Co-Composer and Best Male Artist and Composer/Co-Composer awards, respectively. The likes of Mandoza, Reason, Kabelo, Maxhoba and Ntokozo Mbambo brought down the house with their performances.

Over dinner and dessert, the gala event also paid homage to the multi-platinum Tsonga muso, Dr Thomas Chauke, who was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Singer-guitarist, Jonathan Butler, received the Breaking Through The Borders award, while kwai-jazz pianist, Don Laka, was awarded the Prolific Catalogue of Works statue.

All three veteran honourees performed – with Butler performing via video on a large screen as he was absent – and all gave rousing speeches. Laka was particularly amusing to the crowd as he thanked his wife for giving him space to make music in a tiny room with some then-unknown acts like Oskido.

After the ceremony, Laka told me: “I think the support of your family is ultra important to longevity in your career because if you don’t have that, it can sometimes render things difficult.” He also went on to say he hadn’t fully absorbed the gravity of the honour bestowed upon him.

“You don’t realise sometimes how far you’ve travelled until someone asks you to reflect on your journey,” he continued. “I started 42 years ago and am still continuing.”

He released his latest album, Afro-Chopin, in the UK and hopes to launch it at the State Theatre in Pretoria in September.

l For a full list of winners, visit www.wawelamusicawards.co.za.

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