Local music composer and singer Mercy Masakona Madzivhandila is still in a joyous mood. She received the best music composition award during a ceremony held by the National Institute for Human and Social Sciences (NIHSS) at the Javett Arts Centre in Pretoria on Thursday, 16 March.
According to the organisers of the event, the awards honour outstanding, innovative and creative as well as digital contributions that enhance and advance fields in human and social sciences.
The award was in recognition of Mercy's sterling work in the production of her latest album, tshihwilili tshanga. Although the album was released more than a year ago, tshihwilili tshanga is still a hit with the fans.
Like many artists, Mercy's love of music became clear when she was still attending Sunday School. She later joined the International Christian Centre (ICC) Ministry Band under the leadership of Apostle Maxwell Masakona. The band released two gospel albums, with Mercy as the leading vocalist.
In the year 1997, she felt that she had reached maturity in the field of music. That prompted her to go solo and release her debut album, Yesu wa vhuthu, the following year. Yesu wa vhuthu was followed by Haho, Haho 2, Dzina lawe, Ha shanduki, tshilangano and A ri edeli, which were released between 2006 and 2018.
What makes Mercy's music unique is the fact that she is not an ordinary musician, but she is also an academic. She holds a PhD in music from the University of Venda. Her doctoral study focused on "A descriptive analysis of tshifasi, an ordinary African musicological study'. In her study, Mercy argued that tshifasi had somehow been marginalised and overlooked by many people when compared to other cultural or traditional dances.
The award was the second for Mercy within the space of 12 months. She received another award during the South African Music Awards (SAMA) ceremony in August last year. She stated that the awards attested to the fact that her artwork was enjoying recognition both locally and nationally.
Mercy can be reached on 0714211272 for more information relating to her music.