MULTI-AWARD winning legendary maskandi musician Thokozani "Somnandi" Langa has criticised the awards that come with no prize money.
Somnandi, who has been in the music industry for 30 years and won many awards, said it's time for the awards organisers to stop hosting awards without prize money in lavish venues where artists get nothing.
The 51-year-old artist from Ulundi, KZN has won many awards including over five Samas and more than four Satmas.
Somnandi told Daily Sun that he was happy that the South African Volunteer’s Awards (SAVA) launched their awards at their founder’s home in Eshowe, KZN, instead of booking a lavish venue with higher costs.
“Many times you see a lavish venue and ask yourself how much money the winner will get. And most times they're getting nothing.
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“When I was still young, I heard people bragging about their wins and I thought they were getting millions but when I arrived in the music scene, I realised that it came with nothing. People are just happy to get media exposure, but the awards come with nothing,” he said.
The SAVA, which were started by the late Dr Bhekisisa Ngcobo 15 years ago were launched on Friday, 23 February, to honour him.
Ngcobo, who was the founder of Zululand FM died in 2020 after he suffered from Covid-19. He hosted the awards for four years.
Although the organisers have not confirmed the amounts, they revealed that from this year their awards will go with prize money for the first time.
The awards ceremony will be hosted in May and the date and venue are still to be confirmed.
Somnandi said the has won many different awards, but it's not what people think.
“I urge all the people who are hosting the awards to do more in their awards,” he said.
