THE popular Ingoma kaZwelonke traditional Zulu dance competition event has been a topic for traditional music lovers since it started two years ago.
Now, the competition is being taken to another level to recognise people who take part in it.
They have launched their first awards called National Ingoma Awards at Mushroom Lounge in Durban on Wednesday, 17 April.
The awards will have 38 categories and will be held in Durban at the same venue and date is yet to be announced.
Organised by renowned maskandi festival organiser Xolani Mcineka, the awards seek to give traditional dancers the recognition they deserve.
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Xolani is the organiser of the Impucuzeko Maskandi festival known as Maskandi World Cup where maskandi artists showcase their performing talents live.
Xolani said they wish for Ingoma kaZwelonke to be on the same level as maskandi music.
“What's important about recognising the traditional dance is that in a group, not all people want to be a leader but there are some in the back who do good work and need to be recognised, " he said.
In 2022, at the start of traditional dance competition event, popular maskandi artist Mthandeni Manqele made a grand entrance with a helicopter to interrupt the event, accusing the organisers of excluding him from the Ifolo lomaskandi dance group which was formed by maskandi artists.
In 2023, the festival was attended by Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa.
