Sidumisile Mabena
Langalakhe Mabena, [email protected]
The saying that an apple does not fall far from the tree, is ringing true as Natasha Mlalazi, daughter of award-winning gospel musician Everton Mlalazi, scooped two prestigious accolades at the Hellenic Academy Musician of the Year Awards.
Natasha walked away with the Best Vocalist and Overall Musician of the Year awards, cementing her status as one of the school’s brightest young musical talents.
Other outstanding learners recognised during the awards ceremony were Lauren Beamish, Tahlia Mupandanyama and Myles Mbanje, who received Gold, Silver and Bronze honours respectively in the Outstanding Instrumentalists category. Taropafadzwa Tsanulani was named runner-up in the Vocalist of the Year category.
“Last night, we concluded our Musician of the Year competitions with an unforgettable evening of senior performances. The standard of musicianship on display was exceptional. It was a celebration of talent, dedication and the countless hours our musicians have invested in perfecting their chosen specialities.
“Well done to every musician who performed throughout this year’s competitions. You have made our school very proud and showcased the extraordinary depth of musical talent at Hellenic Academy,” read part of the statement by the Academy.
Natasha is no stranger to the spotlight. Last month, she showcased her vocal prowess at the second edition of the Ekhaya Worship Festival in Bulawayo, where she performed the Happy Birthday song on stage in honour of her father, who celebrated his 44th birthday on May 22.
Earlier this year, she also impressed audiences at the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMAs), performing alongside Little Eliana and Sipho Snowy. The trio delivered a powerful rendition of Zimbabwe’s national anthem to officially open the awards ceremony.
With her growing list of achievements and confidence on stage, Natasha is steadily carving out her own path in music while proudly carrying forward the Mlalazi family’s rich musical legacy.
