PROBLEMS at the South African Traditional Music Achievement (Satma) Awards threatened to spoil the party for guests on Saturday evening.
Some VIPs were stopped from entering the venue, the ceremony started two hours late, the audience complained of poor sound and the Xhosa king was not acknowledged.
It was the second year in a row that East London hosted the prestigious awards, and last year there was also criticism of the organisation.
The awards had been scheduled to start at 6pm but started two hours later, with the national anthem only being sung at 8.15pm.
Local government and traditional affairs MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane said while the overall performances were good it was obvious that there were challenges with the planning.
“MEC Pemmy Majodina had to walk off stage after she could not announce the winner for the category she was meant to do.
“Next time we need to elevate the way we attend to issues of efficiency to avoid such occurrences,” said Qoboshiyane.
Once guests got on the cricket grounds, it was difficult getting inside the marquee, with police shutting the main entrance at 7pm.
Some tried to force their way in, which resulted in them being man-handled by the police.
President of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) Patekile Holomisa and Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) chairwoman Vuyo Zitumane were among those stuck outside.
Zitumane said: “It took a government official to notice us in the crowd outside and they then asked police to let us in.
“Once inside there was poor communication with the ushers so they were sending us from pillar to post, not sure where we should sit.”
The seating arrangements made it uncomfortable with the rows of chairs too close to each other.
The sound mostly was inaudible for those sitting at the back, resulting in the crowd being uncontrolled at times as people talked over presenters of the different awards.
Zitumane said that as guests sitting in the front, they thought the singing was a “mini protest” they did not understand.
At times people in the crowd would shout out “Asikuva, khwaza” . After a while, some started singing.
Last year the event was marred by controversy when Satma founder, Dr Dumisani Goba, complained about the size of the venue at the EL International Convention Centre.
Yesterday, Goba, through project manager Nomcebo Msweli, said: “Things have improved from last year”.
Xhosa king Mpendulo Sigcawu was one of the dignitaries invited to the awards, but his presence was not acknowledged.
It was not until former president Nelson Mandela’s praise singer Zolani Mkhiva took to the stage that the king was acknowledged traditionally with his praise names.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Dr Nokuzola Mndende, director of the Icamagu Institute, which researches African culture and religion, said the king’s treatment was nothing short of embarrassing.
“This was an event meant to celebrate and revive tradition.
“Before Zolani, no one even said the king’s name. Isilo would have walked into a standing ovation.
“If the organisers were sincere, the king would have been given the opportunity to speak – to welcome the people to his land because this is umhlaba wakwa Xhosa .”
While one of the objectives of the Satma is to promote South Africa’s rich traditional culture, Mndende said this did not take place.
“It was westernised. He was seated like an ordinary person. The awards did not reflect the dignity African culture deserves.
“This hurt us . There cannot be some kings who are respected and others not, especially on their own land,” Mndende added.
Holomisa said it was embarrassing how Sigcawu had been treated.
“It was a traditional event. The king should have been acknowledged.
“In culture, if the king is there he ought to be introduced properly.
“If there are praise singers, they should also play their role and then the king should be given time to speak,” he said. — siyab@dispatch.co.za
Glitches mar music awards
Some VIPs were stopped from entering the venue, the ceremony started two hours late, the audience complained of poor sound and the Xhosa king was not acknowledged.
It was the second year in a row that East London hosted the prestigious awards, and last year there was also criticism of the organisation.
The awards had been scheduled to start at 6pm but started two hours later, with the national anthem only being sung at 8.15pm.
Local government and traditional affairs MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane said while the overall performances were good it was obvious that there were challenges with the planning.
“MEC Pemmy Majodina had to walk off stage after she could not announce the winner for the category she was meant to do.
“Next time we need to elevate the way we attend to issues of efficiency to avoid such occurrences,” said Qoboshiyane.
Once guests got on the cricket grounds, it was difficult getting inside the marquee, with police shutting the main entrance at 7pm.
Some tried to force their way in, which resulted in them being man-handled by the police.
President of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) Patekile Holomisa and Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) chairwoman Vuyo Zitumane were among those stuck outside.
Zitumane said: “It took a government official to notice us in the crowd outside and they then asked police to let us in.
“Once inside there was poor communication with the ushers so they were sending us from pillar to post, not sure where we should sit.”
The seating arrangements made it uncomfortable with the rows of chairs too close to each other.
The sound mostly was inaudible for those sitting at the back, resulting in the crowd being uncontrolled at times as people talked over presenters of the different awards.
Zitumane said that as guests sitting in the front, they thought the singing was a “mini protest” they did not understand.
At times people in the crowd would shout out “Asikuva, khwaza” . After a while, some started singing.
Last year the event was marred by controversy when Satma founder, Dr Dumisani Goba, complained about the size of the venue at the EL International Convention Centre.
Yesterday, Goba, through project manager Nomcebo Msweli, said: “Things have improved from last year”.
Xhosa king Mpendulo Sigcawu was one of the dignitaries invited to the awards, but his presence was not acknowledged.
It was not until former president Nelson Mandela’s praise singer Zolani Mkhiva took to the stage that the king was acknowledged traditionally with his praise names.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Dr Nokuzola Mndende, director of the Icamagu Institute, which researches African culture and religion, said the king’s treatment was nothing short of embarrassing.
“This was an event meant to celebrate and revive tradition.
“Before Zolani, no one even said the king’s name. Isilo would have walked into a standing ovation.
“If the organisers were sincere, the king would have been given the opportunity to speak – to welcome the people to his land because this is umhlaba wakwa Xhosa .”
While one of the objectives of the Satma is to promote South Africa’s rich traditional culture, Mndende said this did not take place.
“It was westernised. He was seated like an ordinary person. The awards did not reflect the dignity African culture deserves.
“This hurt us . There cannot be some kings who are respected and others not, especially on their own land,” Mndende added.
Holomisa said it was embarrassing how Sigcawu had been treated.
“It was a traditional event. The king should have been acknowledged.
“In culture, if the king is there he ought to be introduced properly.
“If there are praise singers, they should also play their role and then the king should be given time to speak,” he said. — siyab@dispatch.co.za
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