By Obakeng Maje

The North West Province goes to the 2012 South African Traditional Music Awards (Satmas) in East London on October 27 with eight chances of bringing home the coveted national prizes.

Amongst the eight nominees are the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, in the category “Best Sport, Arts and Culture Department” and Departmental employee, Boikanyo Ramogoelelo, in the category “Best Traditional and Cultural News Journalist (Electronic Media)”, for his work on Motsweding FM. The seventh annual awards mark the third time Ramogoelelo has been nominated. 

MEC Tebogo Modise has called on the North West community to rally behind their artists and the Department, and vote for them on the official sms lines. 

“We would like to urge all the North West Province citizens to come out in their numbers to support our local talent and artists by voting for them in their various and categories,” said Modise.

“Every sms counts. We need to show that we are behind our local artists and that we acknowledge the work they do as they represent our province.”

Vote lines close at midnight October 26. Members of the public can vote for North West nominees by sending sms with the name of the nominee and category (R2 per sms) to the number 34066.

The nominees and vote procedures are as follows:

   1. “SATMA Mma-Ausi Best Setswana Album” Send to 34066

   2. “SATMA Poko ya Pina Best Setswana Album” Send to 34066

   3. “SATMA Mma-Ausi Best Song of the year” Send to 34066

  4. “SATMA Quincy K Best African Jazz ” sSend to 34066

   5. “SATMA Boikanyo Ramogoelelo Best Traditional and Cultural News Journalist (Electronic Media) Send to 34066

   6. “SATMA Modiko Mothupi Best Traditional DJ” Send to 34066

   7. “SATMA Tsa etsho tsa Setswana Best Traditional Music Radio Program” Send to 34066

   8. “SATMA North West Best Provincial Department of Arts and Culture” send to 34066