Veteran musician Dr Irene Mawela says her nomination for a National Order is the culmination of the musical journey she embarked on 66 years ago. Mawela is among a selected few who will be awarded National Orders from the Presidency of the Republic of South Africa during an investiture ceremony that is to be held on Friday, 28 April.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will bestow these awards on the deserving recipients in various categories. The National Orders are the highest awards South Africa bestows on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals who have contributed towards the advancement of democracy and have made a significant impact on improving the lives of South Africans.

Dr Mawela was nominated for The Order of Ikhamanga in Bronze for her outstanding contribution to the performing arts. “Her natural voice induces evocative emotions that have moved many local and international people,” said the Director-General in the Presidency, Phindile Baleni.

Irene Matodzi Mawela was first noticed by the late veteran producer Rupert Bopape while she was performing at a wedding in Moroka Central Soweto back in 1957. She has, among others, played with the Mahottela Queens and the Dark City Sisters. Her stage craft has kept her fans on their toes wherever she performed over decades.

As to how she felt about the award, the artist remarked that she still could not believe it was happening in her lifetime. “I have so many awards from different organisations and the Department of Arts and Culture, but this one is by far the biggest and most esteemed award I have ever received. This one will be awarded by the President himself and it shows my efforts in the arts have not gone unnoticed. While we have been actively involved in spreading the gospel through our music, we never even knew that people in the highest offices were taking note of our contributions. I am so excited and cannot wait to take this award home. It will overshadow all the previous awards I have. I thank the government, especially the President, for honouring me in this way,” she said.