When author, speaker, lecturer and leadership coach Dr Mongezi Makhalima noticed that Jazz as a genre did not have its own awards, he decided to form Mzantsi Jazz Awards (MJA). The inaugural MJA were held in August 2017. Nothing, including lack of funding, was going to stop him from honouring practitioners and promoters of this artform. He also knew that once he embarks on this journey, quitting was going to be his last option.

Like anything new, the awards were viewed with scepticism, with some even wondering if they would be held every year. There is no doubt that some of his peers in his profession might have thought he was over ambitious and probably putting an extra burden on his work. With a relatively small team and a shoestring budget, the MJA have been held every year since their formation, including COVID years where they were streamed to audiences.

Dr Mongezi Makhalima. Picture supplied

Vocalist, and educator Mimi Mtshali was voted Best Female Jazz Artist at the inaugural MJA. She has very fond memories of what happened at the ceremony. “Winning the 2017 Best Female Jazz Artist was a moment I will cherish forever. To me, the award represented resilience, passion, and the breaking of barriers for women in our music industry”, she said. Mimi felt the award was a validation of the late nights, storytelling, and rich heritage of South African Jazz that carries in her voice.

She dedicated the award to every young girl who has aspirations of making her mark with a melody. It was also an elevation of voices. “Cheers to 10 years of brilliance and wishing them more great years”, she said. Virtuoso pianist, composer and educator Nduduzo Makhathini was voted Best Male Jazz Artist at the ceremony. “Mzantsi Jazz Awards are probably the most important awards for this artform. Happy 10th anniversary”, he said. Baritone singer, composer and broadcaster Dumza Maswana walked away with Best Jazz Song, which is something he saw as an honour for independent artists.

Over the years, MJA have grown bigger, received more recognition, and formed strategic partnerships with organisations they share a common vision with. This year, the awards are ‘Celebrating a Decade of Global Jazz Excellence’ which is their theme. Blowing your own trumpet is necessary at times, especially if you know that the journey has not been relatively smooth. Some of the challenges they faced ranged from support base to sponsorship and logistics.

Wendy Allen Twyford. Picture supplied

The South African State Theatre in Pretoria will host this special edition of the MJA on Saturday 15 August. Days leading to celebrating this milestone, Makhalima still finds it hard to believe it has been a decade. “On one level, I am excited to see where we are 10 years later. It has taken a lot of resilience, creativity and clarity of vision”, he told Jazz It Out. But he knows the awards have raised expectations, which he and his team will be expected to meet in the next decade and beyond.

Makhalima is humbled to see the goodwill of many who have supported this journey within the industry and the sector. “We have watched videos of events from the last ten 10 years, and it has been pleasing to see how the quality of this event itself continued to grow and improve”, he said. They are very excited about the next decade. Part of the preparations include making the 2026 ceremony a very special one. “We will celebrate with all musicians who have won in the last 10 years, while at the same time celebrate new winners”, he added.

They are also excited to launch the Best African Jazz Award/Artist category. He is also happy with the choice of venue to mark this milestone. “I hope people come in droves, especially those from Tshwane, who have been starved of significant Jazz events for a while”, he said. They plan to use the venue which is easily accessible with plenty of safe parking for the next three years.

Sanele Mfene. Picture supplied

Looking at nominations and winners for the past 10 years, MJA played an indirect influence in Jazz artists releasing brilliant recordings of global standard. Judging by the number of festivals that are hosted in South Africa, and South African artists that perform at festivals across the globe, the country has produced cultural ambassadors who are putting this multicultural country on the global map. Winning the Mzantsi Jazz Award is a wish of many Jazz artists. Some of the winners have been offered lucrative recording contracts with reputable labels.

This year’s list of nominees is probably one of the longest in a decade. The categories are Best Jazz Song, Best Jazz Album, Best African Jazz Album/Artist, Best International Jazz Album/Artist, Best Radio Station Promoting Jazz, Best Contemporary Jazz Album, Best Male Jazz Artist, Best Female Jazz Artist, Best Newcomer in Jazz and Best Jazz Collaboration Album/Song. Winners of some categories will be determined by the number of votes they receive while others will be decided by a jury.

As has been the norm in the previous years, MJA will honour Jazz icons that have departed. In 2026, the Jazz fraternity lost artists including Abdullah Ibrahim and Fitzroy Ngcukana. As part of celebrating a decade of existence, MJA have decided to sell their tickets at an affordable R150 per person. For more information on the nominees and final preparations for the ceremony, visit their website www.zajazzawards.co.za. Like and follow their Facebook Page – Mzantsi Jazz Awards. Follow them on X@ZaJazzAwards and Instagram @zajazzawards.