Kgotso Mmadi (President: Wesvaal Chamber), Kitu Mahibila, Sheilla Mofokeng, Boitumelo Thipe, Motlatsi Makhetha, Samantha Cabral, Nhlanhla Nkala, Venesse Richards (acting CEO: Wesvaal Chamber), Jason Wilmot (President: MBA North), Ben Mosala (President: North West Chamber), Odirile Mametse, Dr Martin Khunou and Enwee Human. Photo: Grant Betts Photography.

With the MEMAwards just around the corner, the official nominees were released on 27 September 2017 at the Ball Room Hall in Klerksdorp. The event was attended by the who’s who of the Matlosana Music industry and they all came out in support of local talent and to find out who were the biggest artists of the year.

MEMAwards Public Relations Officer and brand manager, Ms Nondumiso Jali unveiled the new look MEMAs. “Tonight is a special night as we are also unveiling our new look branding and this year presents the turning point to greater heights for the MEMA ceremony,” said an excited Ms Jali. “After 6 years, the MEMAwards remains focused on educating and empowering artists.”

This year 17 categories were announced. “We received 127 songs this year alone and categories are decided upon according to music received from interested artists and then a quality, production and presentation check is performed on submitted music,” said Sound & Technical Manager, Edward Mazubuko. “Submitting music way in advance acts as an added bonus to better chances of nomination,” continued King Edward.

CBBC Media House also announced the official partners for this year. “We would like to acknowledge our main partner, Mamokomane Funeral Parlour, Marula Lounge, Klerksdorp Museum and Moch Forex Academy. For many years the event has struggled to attract lucrative partnerships, but this year seems like the 7th time is a charm!” said CBBC Media House CEO, Thapelo Ditshego.

“MEMAwards 2017 plans to blow Matlosana off its feet with a great promotional plan that includes promo tours which started on 23 September 2017 at the Tower Mall and we are giving away tickets to the show at these promotional stops with a great line-up of entertainment,” said Nondumiso Jali.

“We urge everyone to come and join us at these tour stops and they can know more by following us on social media or listening to Star FM 102.9mhz or get a copy of MOJA Magazine for more information.”Voting will start on 2 October 2017 and close on 20 November 2017. Supporters can vote for their favourites by SMS’ing the word MEMA followed by the artist code to 33282 at R1.50/SMS, e.g MEMA T1 to 33282 as many times as they like.

FRONT PAGE: The MEMAwards 2017 team consists of Nondumiso Jali (Public Relations Officer), Thapelo Ditshego (CEO), Edward Mazibuko (Technical & Sound) and Boitumelo Ditibane (Production Manager). Photo by Percy Stephen @ IMH.

MEMA 2017 NOMINEES
Rap Song: 1000 Naira – Mack Metel = A1; Just A Dope MC – Taliban Da Last Number = A2; My Rules – PhatB = A3; Tshexpose – Ananius Mathe = A4; Wa Hemba – ThusMan = A5

Collaboration: Dj Ndaba Feat PhatB, Slowly – Makhulakanzima = B1; Inspector Feat Busta D – Future = B2; SoxMaticz Feat Space Cookie – Dumela = B3; Tso Smith Feat Awkward Music – Buyela Ekhaya = B4; Mr Anderson Feat KAG Mo –  Habashwe = B5

Kasi Sound: Akulalwa – Paper Triumvert = C1; Top7 – Dikupe On The Beat = C2; 26 – Daddy T = C3; Future – Inspector Feat Busta D = C4; Mazwele – = C5

Afro Soul: Thapelo Deble – Tomorrow is gonna be alright = D1; Nikiwe – Sthandwa Sam = D2; Lelitha – Was It Ever Real = D3; Eshdey Diphae – Keledi Tsaka = D4; Brighton Phiri – I Made It = D5

Gospel Song: Mamokomane – TK Ntsepe = E1; Siwelele – Petronela = E2; Kabelo Yaka – Tshepido = E3; Kubo Bonke – Tebogo Mokhuwane = E4; Baile Bana Beso – Gloria Tsabo = E5

Dance Song: Buyela Ekhaya – Tso Smith Feat Awkward Music = F1; Som’landela – Robert Mpisi = F2; Azania – KingEdward Feat Papcos = F3; Ngeke Balunge –  M u s i q wo r k s Fe at Khumbuzile = F4; Habashwe  – Mr Anderson Feat KAG MO = F5

Group/Duo: MOB = G1; Triple LMG = G2; AMC Gang = G3; Audio Flex = G4; Kopano Ke Matla = G5

Reggae Artist: Black Cola – Fubeng Saka = H1; General Alpha – Phuma = H2; Ragga Dumdee – Joy = H3; Lord Percy – Love Girls = H4; Blaq Supreme – What Makes The World Go Around = H5

Poetic Artist: Matso = I1; Black Diamond = I2; Mogote = I3; Tina Mnumzana = I4; Gape = I5

Newcomer: Kgosi Tau Lehipi – One Wish = J1; Lelitha – Was it ever Real = J2; Kaythel – Tell Me = J3; Paper Triumvert – Akulalwa = J4; Nikiwe – Sthandwa Sam = J5

Producer: Blaq – Hip Hop Lover = K1; Dj Size  – Ananius Mathe = K2; TK Ntsepe – Mamokomane  = K3; KingEdward – Azania = K4; Snowee X Glerr-Boi – I want It = K5

Rap Mixtape: Tshexpose – Lesa = L1; Busang – Tales From The Head = L2; Caleb Walefatshe – Bokamoso = L3; Inspector – Tears of Joy = L4; Oh-Stixman – Venom Love = L5

Male Artist: Lucai-Boy = M1; Busang = M2; Ragga Dum Dee = M3; Tebogo Mokhuwane = M4; Brighton Phiri = M5

Club Dj: Kevin – Miller Lounge = N1; Doski – Good Fellas = N2; Mzeetho – Afro Lime = N3; Aca Soul – Corner Lounge = N4; Dj Nox – Gullies = N5

Female Artist: Letlitha = O1; Nikiwe = O2; Khumbuzile = O3; Bucie = O4; Gloria Tsabo = O5

Banger of the Year: PhatB – My Rules = P1; KingEdward – Azania Feat Papcos = P2; Buyela Ekhaya – Tso Smith Feat Awkward Music = P3; Tshexpose –  Ananius Mathe = P4; Som’landela – Robert Mpisi Feat Dj What What = P5

Music Video: K-N9ne – Ke etsa so = Q1; KingEdward Feat Papcos – Azania = Q2; SoxMaticz – Tse Baya = Q3; C4 5 Star – Undercover = Q4; Daddy T –  626 = Q5

MOJA Magazine – Living  (October 2017)