THIS YEAR’S SAMA (SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC AWARDS) HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT VUSI WILL BE HONORED WITH A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD!  CONGRATULATIONS VUSI.Vusi Mahlasela and Ray Phiri, two true  sons of the soil who have enriched South Africa’s musical landscape  beyond measure over the decades, will receive Lifetime Achiever Awards  at the 18^thAnnual MTN South Africa Music Awards.Announcing this year’s Lifetime  Achievers, MTN SAMA CEO Randall Abrahams said: “Through Ray and Vusi’s  music, they have made an invaluable contribution to the culture of South  Africa, and have exported that same culture to the rest of the world.”Both Phiri and Mahlasela have enjoyed  success both at home and abroad, with Phiri played an integral role in  the creation of Paul Simon’s Grammy-winning Gracelandalbum and tour, and “The Voice” frequently performing abroad with the likes of South African expat Dave Matthews.Raymond “Ray” Chikapa Phiri, who  recently celebrated 30 years of hit-making with supergroup Stimela but  who has been a professional musician since the 1960s, is undoubtedly one  of South Africa’s music legends.

In April 2011, President Jacob Zuma  conferred the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver on him for “his sterling  contribution to the South African music industry and the successful use  of the arts as an instrument for social transformation”. It was a  well-deserved accolade befitting a true South African music icon.

Born in Mpumalanga, Phiri was a part-time  dancer with the Dark City Sisters before founding The Cannibals, who  would establish themselves as the country’s soul music giants in the  1970s.

It was in the early ’80s that his long  and eventful musical journey with African jazz-fusion outfit Stimela  began. With Phiri as its charismatic frontman, vocalist and guitarist,  the band released multi award-winning albums Fire, Passion and Ecstasy and Look, Listen and Decide (which went five times platinum), as well as the controversial People Don’t Talk, So Let’s Talk.

It was to come as no surprise when the track Whispers in the Deep was banned by the apartheid-era SABC – which only served to reinforce Stimela’s already burgeoning popularity.

Phiri’s international breakthrough –  which also placed South African music on the global map – came when he,  Ladysmith Black Mambazo and other South African artists collaborated  with Paul Simon on the groundbreaking Graceland project.

He has since reunited with Stimela, which  released their most recent album in 2010, and continues to play a  pivotal role in cultural and educational circles.

This year marked a remarkable, memorable 20 years in music for Vusi “The Voice” Mahlasela.   The golden-voiced troubadour from Mamelodi is described thus by Nobel laureate Nadine Gordimer: “Vusi sings as a bird does: in total response   to being alive. He is a national treasure.”

This is no exaggeration, for not only does Mahlasela embody the concept of ubuntu in his music, but he also conveys this overarching message with an  intensity and clarity of feeling that commands immediate attention and  affection.

Mahlasela’s 1992 album When You Come Back announced him as a formidable newcomer on the music scene, and led to  an invitation to perform at President Nelson Mandela’s inauguration two  years later. Today, he continues to work as a 46664 ambassador for  Madiba.

His incredible vocal range, African  folk-bluesy sound, poetic lyrics and strong social conscience  immediately propelled the humble Mahlasela to prominence. He has since  won legions of fans locally and abroad, touring extensively and  collaborating and sharing stages with the likes of Josh Groban,  Angelique Kidjo, Natalie Merchant, Paul Simon, Sting, Ray Lamontagne and  his good friend Dave Matthews.

Mahlasela has now released three albums on Matthews’ ATO Records in the United States. His 2011 album Say Africa – recorded with South Africans Ian Herman (drums), Bakithi Khumalo  (Bass), Mongezi Ntaka (guitar) and legendary bluesman Taj Mahal as  producer – topped the iTunes world music album chart in its first week  of release, and was nominated for a 2011 SAMA.

Despite his busy international touring  schedule, Mahlasela remains true to his roots and performs frequently in  South Africa, while supporting his Mahlasela Music Development  Foundation and other charities such as the African Leadership Academy  and the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation.

Mahlasela and Phiri will be honoured  during the MTN SAMA 18 ceremony on 30 April 2012 at Sun City, in a  special tribute performance. Tickets for the main awards show are  available at Computicket, or catch all the action live on SABC1 at  8.30pm on the night. Get ready to toast our musical greats!