Winners of the Khuphuka Nezakho 2024 Maskandi Music Festival: Unjoko and Menzi
Unjoko and Menzi emerged in an exciting talent competition at the 2024 Khuphuka Nezakho Maskandi Music Festival, which took place at the famous Curries Fountain in Durban. The event this year featured the clear diversity and rich cultural legacy of South African maskandi music, with intense competition and strong fan engagement.
There were two groups performing at the event, Group A and Group B, and each had a roster of elite maskandi performers. By purchasing tickets with the names of their favorite performers inscribed on them, fans had a crucial part in choosing the winners by casting their votes for their favorite artists.
Unjoko faced tough competition in Group A from Bahubhe, Gatsheni (famous for his hit song “Hit after Hit”), Thwasa Lekhansela, Amageza Amahle, and Amavikelambuso. With an amazing 404 votes, Unjoko won the race despite fierce competition, exceeding the group’s minimum requirement of 400 votes. But when Thwasa Lekhansela declared victory, she received 292 votes, which sparked controversy. The organizers responded quickly, confirming Unjoko as the genuine winner of Group A and providing documentation of the voting procedure.
whereas Menzi defeated Luve Dubazane and Mlabalaba in Group B, winning thanks to his extraordinary talent and popular appeal.
Given that the winners of Group A and Group B each received an adequate amount of R100,000 and R50,000, respectively, the prize distribution demonstrated the organizers’ dedication to recognizing achievement. The significant rivalry in the category was highlighted by this difference in prize money, which highlighted the need of reaching a higher threshold of votes in Group A.
An event organizer named Ngelo V explained the winning criteria, stressing the need of obtaining the necessary number of votes. Fairness and integrity in the competition were ensured by not crowning the winner—even if the artist with the most votes did not meet the required threshold.
In addition to honoring the skill and originality of South African maskandi musicians, the Khuphuka Nezakho 2024 Maskandi Music Festival provided a stage for demonstrating the genre’s ongoing appeal and cultural value. The festival made a lasting impression on the music world, motivating both artists and viewers with its compelling performances and fierce competition, and Unjoko and Menzi emerged as the winners of their respective groups.
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