adminBekezela Tshuma Sunday Leisure Correspondent
ONE of Zimbabwe’s entertainment executives, music producer and radio presenter, Delani Makhalima has clinched a lucrative deal which will see him being part of the adjudication committee for the All Africa Music Awards.The awards (AFRIMA) are set to take place on 9 November in Nigeria.
The ceremony will be showcasing Africa’s vast musical talent with 32 award categories.
The prestigious event, which promises to continue placing Africa on a recognisable platform, will be broadcast in 84 countries and on 109 television stations across the world.
Makhalima has travelled to Nigeria for a week-long conference which will end on 6 August.
There, he will join other adjudicators who have been carefully head hunted from other African countries such as Kenya, Senegal, Uganda, Morocco, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon.
Representatives from the USA, United Kingdom as well as one from the African Union will be part of the adjudication process in the presence of an international auditing firm.
In an interview, the ZiFM radio personality oozed with delight at being part of the team.
“I am excited to be a trendsetter and leader in this evolution. I enjoy being a part of seeing the rich and dynamic contributions of African musicians being celebrated. I believe in Africa, the people and its potential. Platforms like this unify the business of music and affords people exposure to see what other different regions have on offer,” he said.
AFRIMA is in partnership with the African Union Commission and is a combined effort of promoting African Music worldwide.
Makhalima is not new in the music industry. He is among the pioneers of the urban music movement, which have since contributed to the growth and development of music for young people in Africa.
He has worked with a string of chart topping and award winning Zimbabwean musicians such as David Chifunyise, Willom Tight, Alexio Kawara, Dino Mudondo, Zonke, Tsakane TK Malinga, Skatta Kamp, Pastor G, Afro Z, Jerusha, Roy and Royce, HHp, Plaxedis Wenyika, H2O, Sanii Makhalima, Decibel, ExQ, Leornard Mapfumo and Kudzai Sevenzo to name but a few.
Makhalima leaped to South Africa in early 2000 and while in that country, he had the opportunity of working for Sony Music Entertainment and EMI Music as an executive music producer and freelance music writer.
He later joined the most sought after television station, SABC and was on Africa’s largest urban radio studio, Metro FM as a radio presenter and continuity station voice.
This saw Makhalima’s true gift being recognised among top radio DJs on the continent such as DJ Sbu, Glenn Lewis, DJ Christos, Bonang, Phat Joe, Kenny Maistry, Unathi, TBo Touch, Oskido, the late Eddie Zondi and legendary Wilson B Nkosi.
Makhalima retraced his roots in 2012 and this saw him coming back to Zimbabwe where he was asked by AB Communications to assist in the launch of ZiFM radio station.
He was contracted head of production for the station and his department is responsible for the sound design.
The All Africa Music Awards team will work together with MusiX Nation in promoting and distributing African music to the world via the mobile music application Webstore and will also assist in promoting live music concerts.
Online Reporter