Well-known poetic singer Lutendo Mugagadeli, better known as Vendaboy Poet, received yet another accolade for his contribution in preserving his culture when he won the Young Heritage Activist of the year award at the ninth annual Golden Shield Heritage Awards (GOSHA) held at Meropa Casino Hotel outside Polokwane on Friday, 25 November.
The event was organised by the National Heritage Council of South Africa (NHC), in partnership with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in Limpopo and SABC radio stations Lonene FM, Phalaphala FM and Thobela FM. The purpose of the awards is to recognise those who selflessly preserve and promote their heritage, which forms a critical part of South Africans' identity.
During Heritage Month (October), a public call was issued for nominations, which closed early in November. The response was overwhelming, and the adjudication panel, comprising heritage practitioners from different heritage disciplines, had a difficult task. Two finalists in each category were invited to the function, with one of them stepping out as winner.
Vendaboy (32), who was born and raised in Ha-Nthabalala Manyima, was delighted to be among the winners at the GOSHA awards.
"I grew up listening to veteran artists Mzhakhe Mbuli and Soul Nephawe, with their God-given poetry voices, and I used to imitate them, hoping that one day I too would count as one of the best poetry artists in the country. I was very excited about winning the GOSHA award," he said.
This is Vendaboy's fifth award in only two months. On 1 October he won a SATMA award for Best Praise Singer, and on 29 October a MAI award for Best Indigenous Multilingual Poet. He also won the Poet of the Year award at the Limpopo Music Awards and Meropa Brand Ambassador's Best Superstar award. He dedicated his GOSHA award to his fans for their continuous support. He received a trophy, a certificate and R30 000 in cash.
Vendaboy's new poetry album, called Lwendo (journey), will be released early in December this year. He is also to host an event called the Poetry & Literacy Calabash at the Khoroni Hotel on 15 December.