Stage is set for the first SAMRO Wawela Music Awards

SAMRO is raising the curtain on the first annual Wawela Music Awards, putting the best of South Africa’s global breakthrough acts on show.

Wawela is a Zulu word that means “go beyond”, and no phrase could be more fitting for the inaugural Wawela Music Awards, proudly brought to you by SAMRO, which celebrate South African music that has done just that: gone beyond our borders and put our tunes on the international agenda.

There’s no doubt SA music is on a mission. Never before have we had so many of our own composers, songwriters and performers making their mark as loud and proud South African music ambassadors all over the world. SAMRO believes it’s time these musicians are rewarded with as much applause from South Africa as they receive internationally.

The first annual Wawela Music Awards ceremony will take place in Johannesburg on Friday, 28 June 2013. These awards are inspired by South African music creators’ accomplishments on the international stage. They will also pay homage to the legends of local music who have paved the way to this point through their extraordinary lifetime achievements.

So how does it work? The awards are open to SAMRO members only, and only those who have had their works featured outside the borders of South Africa for the period 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011. Composers will be selected across a range of genres, styles and categories. The judging panel will also hand out a number of special awards.

The winners of the inaugural Wawela Music Awards will be those musicians who have truly “gone beyond” – whose music has broken through and made an impact internationally. Certain categories will be judged on statistical performance, based on sales and radio play in international markets, while other awards will be decided on merit by a panel of respected and experienced industry professionals.

Do you fit the bill? Has your music flown the SA flag internationally? SAMRO members who would like to submit their entries for the Wawela Music Awards should visit www.wawelamusicawards.co.za and register. Entry is free, but all entrants must be available to attend the awards, if nominated.

As the excitement ramps up, SAMRO will be releasing more details about the event, the performing acts, nominees and finalists.

The awards are a gesture from SAMRO to thank the country’s creative trailblazers who have flown the South African music flag high abroad and have made us proud of our vibrant, diverse and ever-evolving musical heritage.

Go beyond, with the Wawela Music Awards: Internationally embraced, locally awarded!

Note to editors:

The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) is proud to be hosting the inaugural Wawela Music Awards, the only awards ceremony in South Africa that rewards music creators for their outstanding achievements in the international arena. For further information on SAMRO, please visit www.samro.org.za

Contact SAMRO:

Email: info@wawela.co.za

Twitter : @WawelaMusic

Facebook: www.facebook.com/WawelaMusicAwards

Tel: 011 712 - 8505

For media interviews, access to high res pictures and any media enquiries please contact media@jtcomms.co.za or call (011) 788 7632 or 083 954 6133.

Issued by JT Communication Solutions of Behalf of SAMRO www.samro.org.za