Vendaboy Poet scoops up SATMA award

Lutendo Evans Mugagadeli, better known as Vendaboy Poet, recently won the Best Tshivenda Album award during the South African Traditional Music Awards (SATMA) held at Mmabatho Convention Centre in Mahikeng, North West.

He managed to beat Sikheli Junior, and Thifhelimbilu & Gazlam. The awards were held under the theme Free to be me.

In an interview with Limpopo Mirror, the delighted poet said: “I feel very honoured and humbled to be recognized for my music. I would like to thank God for giving me this talent. I also thank my fans and my mother for their support. To everyone who was nominated in the SATMA Awards, we are all winners. It’s not about winning the award but making it to the nominations is the same as winning.”

He further thanked the promoters, event organisers, and all the radio stations that keep on playing his music. “To young poets and musicians, please stay in school and have a backup plan, because the music and entertainment industry is cruel,” he said.

Vendaboy Poet hails from Ha-Manyima and his poetry also serves as an artistic expression against nepotism, hate and discrimination. “I recite poetry in six languages, which are Sepedi, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Isizulu, Isixhosa and English. I'm a performer who gives the audience tears of joy,” he said.

The SATMA awards were founded by Dr Dumisani Goba in 2005 and aim to unearth and develop traditional musicians by providing them with a platform that will recognize, honour, award and showcase their God-given talents.

Entertainment - Date: 11 October 2019

Mbulaheni Ridovhona

The 22-year-old Mbulaheni (Gary) Ridovhona has been passionate about journalism to the extent that he would buy himself a copy of weekly Univen students' newsletter, Our Voice. After reading, he would write stories about his rural village, Mamvuka, and submit them to the very newsletter for publication. His deep-rooted love for words and writing saw him register for a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies at the University of Venda, and joined the Limpopo Mirror team in February 2016 as a journalism intern.

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