Ghoema Music Awards


The Ghoema Music Awards are presented by the Ghoema Trust to recognize outstanding achievement in the Afrikaans Music Industry. It is the only independent music award ceremony of its genre in South Africa. The event was established in 2012. The ceremony is held in March every year and contenders are judged on performances made in the previous year. The show broadcasts on KykNET.

Background of the Ghoema Music Awards

A Ghoema is a barrel-shaped drum, originally played by the Cape Malay People and commonly associated with the Cape Minstrels. It produces rhythmic sounds and beats that are uplifting and described by the Minstrels as colorful. It is this correlation with the Ghoema that the decision was made to set up the Ghoema Music Trust.
The Ghoema Music Awards are the official independent awards ceremony where artists, bands, musicians and songwriters of the Afrikaans music industry are honored for certain achievements over a specific period.
The Ghoemas function without the attribution of any exclusive brands or copyrights and are independent of the national press, media, and record companies. Record companies and the press and media work together in partnership to promote the Ghoema Music Awards, ensure that the awards are executed and to ensure that the awards get the necessary exposure as agreed upon by all parties involved.
The Ghoema Music Awards accolades are made after a free and fair consistent enrollment process,
nominations, followed by a voting process which includes public voting and a judging panel consisting of industry experts.
An accredited auditing firm is responsible for all ballot papers, from both the elected judges and
public votes, to ensure the voting process is transparent.
The Ghoema Music Awards is the initiative of Barry Pretorius, but is owned by the Ghoema Music Trust; which consists of certain trustees. Therefore, the awards ceremony and winners are beneficiaries of the trust. The Ghoemas are not owned by a business entity or individual.

Trustees of the Ghoema Music Awards

The Trustees of The Ghoema Music Trust are represented by the following individuals:
  1. Heidi Edeling – Chief Executive Officer
  2. Frik Jordaan – Legal representative
  3. Henico Schalekamp – Auditor/Accountant
  4. Karen Meiring
  5. Loyiso Bala
  6. Shihaam Domingo

    History of the Ghoema Music Awards

The first Ghoema Afrikaans Music Awards ceremony was held on 11 March 2012 at Carnival City, Johannesburg, South Africa to honor musical accomplishments by performers in the Afrikaans market for the year 2011.

Ghoema Music Awards Categories

The Ghoema Awards made the following awards during the 2012 Ghoema Afrikaanse Musiek Toekenings awards ceremony: