The highly anticipated 2024 Legends and Legacy Ball Africa Awards are set to take place on 13 July 2024 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg. This year’s event, a tribute to celebrating musical artistry and democracy in South Africa, promises to be an extraordinary celebration of Africa’s rich cultural heritage.
In alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Imajin&Fusion South Africa and Imajin & Fusion Global, known for their experiential music events, are committed to advancing regional integration and fostering economic and cultural development across the continent. By expanding this year’s event to South Africa, they aim to celebrate 30 years of democracy and the spirit of African unity.
Imajin & Fusion South Africa and Imajin & Fusion Global are going beyond the status quo by not only creating an unforgettable experience but also advancing sustainable development and business progress in South Africa and beyond. In the lead-up to the event and into the future, the event organisers aim to mentor youth within the music industry ownership, acquisition of music, self-development, and guidance. There will also be business match-making opportunities designed to enhance the business development aspect for musicians and companies, celebrating cultural diversity in South Africa.
Lebogang Letsoalo, Country Director of Imajin & Fusion, South Africa, emphasises this mission, stating, “Our goal is to empower the next generation of African musicians by providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in the industry.”
In celebration of unity and Africa’s vibrant culture, we are excited to announce the addition of the legendary artists Koffi Olomide and Héritier Watanabe to the line-up. Their performances will add a unique dimension to the event, highlighting the diversity and richness of African music.
We are also honoured to celebrate the esteemed Princess of Africa, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, as this year’s main honouree. The evening will feature a star-studded line-up, including Mafikizolo, DJZinhle, King Promise, Camidoh, and Princess Mac Donald. These artists will deliver electrifying performances, paying tribute to Africa’s rich musical legacy with renditions of Yvonne Chaka Chaka’s iconic music.
Her Musical Director, Rollins Mange, who has been with Yvonne for 27 years, added, “Imajin and Fusion is doing a fantastic job in honouring music legends. Yvonne Chaka Chaka truly deserves this. We promise a beautiful evening on the night of the awards.”
He highlighted Yvonne’s commitment to giving younger artists opportunities to learn and grow within the music industry. This year marks the launch of Imajin and Fusion’s South African offices, broadening the reach of the awards to South Africa. The event will feature an electrifying lineup of performers, including Andy Dosty, King Promise, Camido, Mafikizolo, Ntokozo Mbambo, DJ Zinhle, DBN Gogo, Corlea Botha, and Princess MacDonald, who was a finalist in Idols SA Season 19 and expressed her admiration for Yvonne Chaka Chaka at the launch.
Special messages of support for Yvonne Chaka Chaka were delivered by King Promise, Camido, and Princess MacDonald, as well as her Musical Director, Rollins Mange, and SAFTA winner Zola Hashatsi. Lebogang Letsoalo, Country Manager for Imajin & Fusion South Africa, stated, “Today we celebrate the profound significance of the Legends and Legacy Ball Africa Awards. We pay tribute to all legends who have made crucial contributions to the advancement of music in South Africa and globally. Honouring the remarkable achievements of our musical legends while they are still with us is truly special.”
The Legends and Legacy Ball has been an annual event of Imajin Advertising Company, now known as Imajin & Fusion Global, since its launch in Ghana in 2011. The debut event honoured Ghanaian music legend, Daddy Lumba, followed by Amache Dede in 2012, A.B Crentsil in 2013, and Kojo Antwi in 2015. Kojo Asante, Chairman of Imajin and Fusion Group, said, “It is a pleasure and an honour to celebrate Yvonne Chaka Chaka, a true musical hero, at this year’s awards.”
By Simphiwe Nkosi
