Poetess Ntombi Ya Mutsonga Bags SATMA Nomination

MATIYANI VILLAGE – Masingita Shibambu, known as Ntombi ya Mutsonga has been nominated for her second South African Traditional Music Achievement (SATMA) Awards, this time in the category of the best indigenous poet artist & group for her poem ‘Afrika’.

The 21-year-old imbongi (praise poet) from Matiyani Village outside Giyani, was announced amongst the 125 nominees from 23 categories at Emalahleni, Mpumalanga on Saturday, July 30.

The 2021 SATMA award-winning praise poet has been pitted against Trevor TMV and Ababekezili for the best traditional poet artist in the 17th SATMAs, of which the winner will be announced on October 01.

The ardent culturist poet has also scooped Limpopo music best poet award in 2021 and has recently been honoured as the best poet by the Limpopo department of Sports, Arts and Culture.

Shibambu told the publication that the SATMA nomination means her craft is widely recognized and it’s a great platform to show the Tsonga society to embrace who they’re truly are.

“Being nominated for SATMAs means my craft is appreciated and inspiring the society and also is recognized by the relevant organisations.

Through winning this award, any girl from Matiyani village and surrounding villages would look at me and see a motivation and that will make them to believe in their dreams” she said.

Ntombi Ya Mutsonga rose to national fame after her flamboyant rendition, ushering President Cyril Ramaphosa to deliver the 2020 State of Nation Address (SONA).

Besides being a multi-award-winning praise poet, Shibambu is also a Media studies student at the University of Limpopo who aspires to become a news anchor and actress.