Event Schedule

Polokwane, Limpopo Province – The 15^th Munghana Lonene FM Xitsonga Music Awards (XMA15) will be held on 29^th & 30^th March 2019 in Giyani as it was the case for the past 3 years, this time around even more explosive!!!

This year’s event, which will see nominees battling it out in 13 competing categories and will as is  the practice start with a Gala Dinner event on Friday 29^th March 2019, this is where special awards recipients will be honoured.

There are two categories which stands out as highly contested in the upcoming awards and those are Best Xitsonga Male previously won by Eckson Maluleke, this time it features Xitsonga powerhouses such as Mr. Fill-UP Giyani Stadium himself Benny Mayengani, Joe Shirimane, Mr. Post, Forget Makhahlele & the soulful Henny C. On the other hand the Best Xitsonga Most Popular Song of the Year is nothing less than a mountain for listeners who are faced with a mammoth task of choosing one of ten (10) beautifully arranged songs, made and sung by some of our Xitsonga talents.

Five Special Honorary awards are on the cards on Friday 29^th March 2019 at the Gala Dinner. Recipients thereof include the late Hasani Freddy Masingi popularly known to his fans as Matshwa Bemuda who will be remembered posthumously, withLegendary Xitsonga Disco queen Esta M receiving the Living Legend award while Patson Chauke gets honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award. The Companion of Xitsonga Music will be bestowed to Tshivenda Reggae musician Colbert Mukwevho who has recently received an honorary PhD from the University of Venda. Topping the special honorary will be special recognition that goes across the eastern border to Mozambique to the legendary of Xitsonga Music, Mr. Antonio Marcos for his contributions in composing and singing in Xitsonga.

The 15^th Xitsonga Music Awards promises nothing but a highly competitive affair in that it sees the majority of the nominees featuring in multiple categories. Xitsonga soul sensation Henny C received 5 nominations followed by Benny Mayengani, Sunglen Tshabalala, Florah Nwa Chauke & DJ Gammi ft. Xisomisani getting 3 nominations each. The likes of Joe Shirimane, Mr. Post, Khombo Shirimane, Russian Army, Pastor Lunghi Ndala & Daniel Brothers each received 2 nominations.

The main event will be a sparkle affair and it promises to be the highlight of the year for the Limpopo Province Event Calendar. It promises to be a glamour and glint affair. The awarding and festival event on Saturday the 30^th March 2019 is a cherry on this cake with a super appealing performance lineup featuring The president as he calls himself Benny Mayengani, Joe Shirimane General Muzka, Prince Rhangani, Dr. Thomas Chauke, Mr. Post, The Living Rock, The Grace Band and many more. It does not get better than this without the new addition of the cultural dance competitions in the five Mopani Municipalities and the best dressed female and male competition for our best dressed festival revellers.  Loads of prizes and give away for our listeners who will participate on the voting process and to those listeners who will buy tickets and also attend the main festival.

Mopani District Municipality remains the awards’ main sponsor while we have Greater Giyani Municipality & National Heritage Council as secondary sponsors. The project also attracted a platinum funder in National Lotteries Commission. Some of the special guests expected to attend the event includes MDM Executive Mayor Cllr. Nkakareng Rakgoale, who will give an address at the gala evening, GGM Mayor Cllr Shivambu BA, Ba-Phalaborwa Mayor Cllr Pule Shayi as well as SABC Executives and representatives from NLC & NHC.

“These awards continue to play a critical role in improving the production and encouraging musicians who are composing, producing  and singing in  Xitsonga language to be inspired by the station and category winners to improve the quality of their craft and product. “ - said Munghana Lonene fm station manager, Mr. Lawrence Ubisi.

Munghana Lonene fm Marketing Manager Ms. Vongi Nkanyane is available for further clarity on the event, and she can be contacted  on 015 290 0247 or nkanyanevp@sabc.co.za

#XMA15!

#TlakusaMpfumawulo!