SA: Winners announced for 2023 Backing Vocalists and Session Musicians Awards

The event, organised by Yvonne Chaka Chaka and her Princess of Africa Foundation, featured performances and speeches.

All the winners received R5 000 ($300) and another R20 000 deposited in an endowment fund for a minimum of five years. Lifetime Achievement awards went to David Mabaso, Kokotile Rakhetla, Kenny Mathaba, Madala Kunene and Suthukazi Arosi, while the Special Award was presented to bassist Joseph Makwela, who is credited as an originator of the mbaqanga sound.

“A big congratulations to the winners and the nominees,” Yvonne Chaka Chaka said on Sunday. “It was great to witness the magic inside the Soweto Theatre this afternoon. It restored my faith in the music industry that I love so much and have dedicated my life to serving.

“We owe a great deal of gratitude to our sponsors, who gave so generously to bring our vision to life. We will continue to strive to put first the welfare of backing vocalists and session musicians who are often neglected and unrecognised. They are an important part of the music making ecosystem. Thank you to all who made this year’s event a success, especially the all-female power production team and the Princess of Africa Foundation office. Till next year.”

Below is the full list of winners:

Best Guitarist

• Joel Klein 
• Dan Patlansky 
• Sunnyboy Mthimunye

Best Bass Guitarist

• Denny Lalouette
• Jimmy Mngwadi 
• Lucas Senyatso

Best Piano and Keys

• Lolo Rollins Mankge
• Mawande Stuurman 
• Ezra Erasmus

Best Percussionist

• Basi Mahlasela
• Moses Manaka 
• Veli Shabangu

Best Drummer

• Mncedisi Ndamase
• David Klaasen
• Leeroy Sauls

Best Brass Section

• Sydney Mavundla
• Marcus Wyatt 
• Ian Smith

Best Woodwinds

• Cathy Del Mei
• Khaya Dlamini
• Tim Roberts 

Best Female Backing Vocalist (Live/ Studio)

• Silindile Ntini 
• Meisie ‘Lovey’ Malatji
• Nelisiwe Kunene 

Best Male Backing Vocalist (Live/ Studio)

• Bheki Nene 
• Bubele Mgele 
• Mduduzi Ntombela

Best Rock/Pop

• Danny de Wet 
• Mark Beiling 
• Veronique Lalouette

Best Reggae

• Ntombi Mtshali 
• Bhe Shandu 
• Penuel Phangisa 

Best Gospel Sessionist

• Lulama Lallo
• Gift Lelimo
• Toffo Goge

Best Digital Session Musician: Afropop, Maskandi and Gospel

• Mzamo Ndlovu 
• Bruce Sebitlo
• Obed Mabuza 

Best Afrikaans

• Melody Bracey
• Mel Botes 
• Ray Dylan 

Best Jazz Vocalist

• Kuki Mncube
• Sifiso Khanyile 
• Sibusiso Buthelezi 

Best Jazz Instrumentalist

• Barry Snyman 
• Sydney Mnisi 
• Randall Skippers

Best Traditional

• Madoda Ntshingila 
• Maqhude Mkhize 
• Mbhodobhodo Mdlalose 

Rookie of the Year Instrumentalist

• Tshego AMG
• Kagiso Monampane 
• Phakathi Sanele

Rookie of the Year Vocalist

• Tshego AMG
• Cheryl Zondi
• Lalamani Kutama-Khumela
• Mashudu Mosoeu

Lifetime Achievement

• David Mabaso 
• Kokotile Rakhetla 
• Kenny Mathaba 
• Madala Kunene
• Suthukazi Arosi

Special Award

• Joseph Makwela