On Saturday, 5 December 2020 South Africa honoured it’s loved one PJ Powers, also known as Thandeka, and celebrated all the legends of traditional music in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga at the 15th Annual South African Traditional Music Awards.
PJ Powers graciously accepted her SATMA Award for Best Traditional Female Legend Award alongside the greats of Traditional South African music, with whom PJ Powers has been privileged enough to be recognised.
Dressed in Mali South Clothing, PJ Powers represented the colourful nation we are so blessed and proud to be from, and in her speech expressed her gratitude for being chosen by the nation for all these years. PJ Powers also presented 3 awards to other legends in the industry, including Master KG for his great release which received incredible global success during the pandemic for “Jerusalema”.
It was an overwhelmingly beautiful evening, filled with pride and unity as all the different traditions of our nation came together to celebrate each other, the music and talent this country produces. A joyful occasion after a year of such hardship and separation for all. The SATMA Awards celebrated 15 years of coming together & celebrating our diverse cultures. “My Culture, Your Culture, One Nation”.
PJ Powers comments on the SATMA Awards
“What a fabulous evening at the SATMA Awards! I am so honoured to receive the SATMA Best Traditional Female Legend Award and it feels so good to connect again with all the legends I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside, on this journey in SA music. Thank you SATMA Awards for choosing me for this incredible achievement. Thank you, South Africa, for loving me, unconditionally.”
More info about PJ Powers
South African music legend PJ Powers “Thandeka” is an award-winning musician with 12 gold discs, four platinum and a gold CD. Her career started in 1980s as the lead singer of Hotline, and her solo career flourished during the 1990s and 2000s with hits such as “There is Answer”, “Feel So Strong”, “Jabulani”, “You’re So Good to Me” & “World in Union” which has become an iconic rugby world cup song.
Her most recent hits include chart topping singles such as ‘Destiny*, *Stay* and a rework of There is An Answer*, a collaboration with Sifiso Ncwane. PJ also teamed up to sing a hip hop version of “Jabulani” with HHP (Hip Hop Pantsula) in 2010. In April 2017 PJ produced, re-recorded and released “Home to Africa”, a chart-topping collaboration with Ugandan RnB artists Radio & Weazel in Uganda and South Africa.
PJ Powers has shared the stage with many local and international stars such as Eric Clapton, Joan Armatrading, Annie Lennox, Peter Gabriel, Hugh Masekela, Sibongile Khumalo, the Mahotella Queens, Youssou N Dour, Miriam Makeba, Harry Belafonte and more recently The Corrs & Mike and the Mechanics.
She has also performed for Queen Elizabeth of England, King Juan Carlos of Spain, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands as well as collaborating with Yvonne Chaka Chaka and M’du Masilela on an international United Nations music video. In 2003 she was asked to write the official 85th birthday song for President Mandela, which she sang to him and a host of luminaries such as Oprah Winfrey, Bill Clinton and many other world leaders and presidents during the international broadcast.
More info about SATMA
The SATMA Awards were founded by Dr. Dumisani Goba in 2005 and inaugurated in 2006 to bring all races and ethnic groups together through the celebration of South Africa’s diverse musical cultures and also to eliminate tribalism and other divisive measures. The SATMA Awards gives traditional music its rightful status and role in South African Arts & Culture in the preservation of our Heritage.
The SATMA Awards recognized this void; therefore, the birth of the South African Traditional Music Achievement (SATMA) Awards was incepted where traditional music is given an appropriate platform to honour musicians by hosting a ceremonial event.
The SATMA Awards have been hosted in various Provinces (KwaZulu Natal, Eastern Cape & Bokone Bophirima(North West) ), Cities (Durban, East London & Mahikeng), and Venues from 2006 to date. The SATMA roadshow has been hosted in all provinces as part of the build-up to the main event.
The 15th Annual SATMA Awards is being hosted by Mpumalanga Province under the theme: “CELEBRATING AFRIKA” and also celebrating 15th Years, this event takes place this month (December 2020). During the heritage month, they will have a 15th year celebration (SATMA’s Birthday) which will include various artists across the country.
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