The Basadi in Music Awards, a first of its kind women-focused awards ceremony, will be launched tonight at the Joburg Theatre, in Braamfontein.
Speaking to HM Entertainment’s CEO Hloni Modise, the PR team responsible for birthing these awards, she said the ceremony had been a dormant dream of hers for the longest time and was activated during the hard lockdown period, when she needed to distract herself.
It was then that she reached into her “box of dreams” to initiate one of her long-time ambitions – an awards ceremony that celebrates women’s contribution within this obviously male-dominated industry.
“These awards are not a girls club nor are they in any way trying to pitch women against men,” said Modise who shared that she could not ignore the enormous contributions that various men had in her own growth within the PR and music industry, but rather she wanted to introduce a unique platform where women could uplift each other.
The anticipated launch, that promises to be a top-tier event, will be hosted/MC’d by award winning singer Keabetswe KB Motsilenyane, and will feature many of Mzansi’s celebrated performers such as Makhadzi, Holly Rey, Brenda Mtambo, Lerato Kganyago, Nhlanhla Mafu (formerly known as Nciza), Winnie Mashaba, Boohle and Candy Tsamandebele, all celebrating the beginning of the awards.
“I was inspired to launch such a ceremony after speaking to so many women who felt demoralised by the fact that not only is the industry dominated by men but the constant fight that women still need to put up in order to be recognised within the industry,” she said.
“The awards then became that answer to the plight of recognition, to highlight the work that women continue to do on and offstage,” said the 37-year-old
Modise’s work includes a nine-year-long working relationship with the popular awards, the South African Music Awards and she continues to work closely with legendary couple mama Letta Mbulu and Caiphus Semenya.
“What makes these awards special are those many added platforms that we will be introducing together with the awards. Like the master classes that will be staged weeks prior to the actual ceremony, where we want established artists to come teach the younger ones how to turn their talents into a business.
“So the Basadi in Music goes beyond just the music and will be a community for women in music and those that aspire to get into the music,” she said.
Modise explained that the awards seemed to have been something that many of her industry peers had been waiting for, judging by the enthusiasm the news of the launch was met with and the numerous pledges of support that came her way.
“I am excited. I am nervous. A young black girl making a dream come true is a big deal. I really hope that this will inspire another young girl that our dreams are valid, and that is really what the awards ceremony is about. That we can achieve it all, together,” she said.
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