Gqeberha’s Thandikhaya “Joliza” Magayiyana has managed to triple his chances of coming home with big wins after receiving two nominations for the South African Music Awards and moved into the top six of TV talent search show Ushuni Womhlaba.
Magayiyana’s extended play (EP) Bhacasoul Experience was nominated in the Best Traditional Music Album and in the Newcomer of the Year category along with global sensation Tyla and others.
He found out he had been nominated on September 26 while he was on Ushuni Womhlaba which is aired on SABC 1 every Sunday at 6pm.
“I was really shocked, I could not believe that I really received two nominations,” the 33-year-old said.
“These nominations showed me that self-belief is important, no matter what your obstacles in life are.”
Proud of his heritage as iBhaca, he said he believed he was the first Bhaca to receive a Sama nomination.
The Bhaca people have managed to preserve their language, isiBhaca, for more than three centuries.
“As a musician, I want people to know that the Bhaca people are still here, because there are some people who do not know that there are amaBhaca in SA.
“I also want to make the Bhaca people proud and to feel represented in the Samas,” Magayiyana said.
His love for music started when he joined the Walmer Primary School choir in grade 6 after he was encouraged by his peers.
The musician described his sound as traditional Afro-soul and Bhaca-soul sound, a genre he developed.
“I discovered I sang Bhaca-soul in about 2014.
“It is a combination of clapping hands (ukuqwaba), humming (valela ingoma) and the sound of traditional dancing (umxhentso),” he said.
Magayiyana said he then discovered that music was his means of healing people.
The Ushuni Womhlaba talent search TV show spans 16 weeks and showcases young musicians in genres such as Maskandi, Mbaqanga, Iscatamiya Afro-pop and other traditional music.
The judges in the competition comprise SA industry icons as well as award-winning musicians Big Zulu, Msaki, Sho Majozi and Phuzekhemisi.
“We moved from the top 40 to top 20, last week we performed as the top eight and I made it into the top six.
“Being part of the show has been such a blessing for me.
“It shows me that when something is meant to come your way it will come your way.
“I was still focusing on the show when I got the news that I had been nominated for the Samas.
“Initially when I entered I wanted to at least be in the top 10, anything else for me would have been a bonus.
“I believed the show would help people to get familiar with my face, to get to know my music, my brand which is known in the Eastern Cape.
“People that did not know me are loving my music, they are loving my sound and what I wanted to achieve is happening,” Magayiyana said.
Despite all his successes, life has not always been smooth sailing for Magayiyana who dropped out of school in grade 11 due socioeconomic reasons.
“I grew up with my parents being unemployed.
“I would go to the Walmer waste facility to help the people who discarded their waste and use the money I got there for school.
“I never imagined after I dropped out of school that life would get better,” Magayiyana said.
Gqeberha’s Edgar Muzah has also been nominated for a Sama in the Rest of Africa Award category.
HeraldLIVE
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