Veteran Radio Grahamstown Maskandi music presenter Billy Mkhalipi is up for a South African Traditional Music Award (SATMA).
Veteran Radio Grahamstown Maskandi music presenter Billy Mkhalipi is up for a South African Traditional Music Award (SATMA).
Known to his listener as Gazilam, Mkhalipii was nominated for Best Community Radio DJ in the 9th annual music awards. The highly coveted awards celebrating excellence in traditional music take place at the University of Fort Hare in Alice from 17 – 18 October.
Mkhalipi is the host of the popular Saturday traditional music show S'gudla Ithukela, which airs between 6-9pm. Mkhalipi is up against 27 other nominees from various community radio stations in the country.
People can still vote for Mkhalipi until late in the evening of 17 October by smsing 'Satma Billy Gazilam Mkhalipi best community radio DJ' to 34066.
Mkhalipi will not be able to attend the two day event. He is a full-time member of the South African Defence Force and is currently away on a mission with the 6 SAI Battallion.
The Satmas will be hosted for the third time in the Eastern Cape. They are organised in conjuction with the Eastern Cape Department of Arts and Culture.
The two-day ceremony will focus on the community level while on Saturday artists with a national and international foot print will be honoured.
Human Rights Activist, Reverend Jesse Jackson will be a guest of honour at the event. Jackson is one of America’s foremost civil rights, religious and political figures, and will be honoured at the Satma's with a special award/ The 73-year-old global icon enjoyed a close friendship with former president Nelson Mandela.
Grahamstown comedian Tsepiso Ndzayo performed at a pre-Satma Comedy show on Thursday.
