Singer Thebe Mogano celebrated his first-ever music award over the weekend. Many people were shaken to learn that hitmaker Thebe had never won a single award in his career. This past weekend, he brought the house down with his electrifying performance, at Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival leaving many with teary eyes when he revealed that he had never been recognised for his work.

FIRST MUSIC AWARD

Thebe was presented with a Basha Uhuru Legacy Award for his contribution to the music industry. He is the second recipient of the award after Mandla Spikiri, who received his last year. He said, "This one goes out to all of you my supporters," before revealing that he has never won anything before. "This is my first ever award. I have never won anything before," he said leaving the crowd with mixed emotions. According to a source who was at the festival, Thebe has been overlooked in the industry even though he is one of the pioneers of dance music. A source close to Thebe said it used to bother him that he has never won anything for his contribution but as time went he made peace,. "Saturday was special he even cried backstage. He could not contain himself, he was too emotional," adds the source.

HIS RISE TO FAME 

Born Thebe Mogane in Polokwane, Limpopo in 1973, the married father of three broke into the music industry by default. After studying sound engineering, the Lenyora hitmaker wanted to work behind the scenes. But fate decided otherwise, while staying with producer Bruce Sebitlo and working as a club DJ, Thebe and Bruce composed songs to be played in clubs by their friends, not looking for any record deal. Oscar "Oskido" Mdlongwa heard the songs whilst playing at the same club as Thebe and offered him a record deal right away. The first album, Tempy Life, was the actual demo tracks that were just mixed and mastered.

BASHA UHURU FESTIVAL

Johannesburg’s most anticipated creative festival, Constitution Hill’s Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival, offered a jam-packed line-up of creative immersions and experiences for its 2023 edition. The music festival was formed in 2012 to commemorate the memory of the youth who fought in the struggle during the 1976 Soweto Uprising, affording the youth of today the freedom to explore their creativity and freedom of expression. This year’s lineup included local stars and legends on the main stage! From DJ Zinhle; Kwesta; Samthing Soweto; Shekhinah; Thando Nje; Sol Phenduka; Marcus Harvey and Friends; GYRE; izaNGOMA. Deejays included Ms Party; KMAT DJ; Boujeena; SweeterBrown; Mam’Thug; RANGER; KITCHENMESS; Lyndow Radebe and a guest performance from this year’s Basha Uhuru Music Legacy Award - Thebe. "We are proud to host the 2023 Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival back at full scale as Conhill’s flagship Youth Month Event," says Constitution Hill CEO, Don Robertson.