Sibongile Princess Buthelezi from Umlazi township last month won the prize for the Most Unusual Project at the sixth African Awards ceremony of Má Afrika South Africa which took place in Benoni, Gauteng. Nine provincial finalists participated in this community project based on the theme the preservation of traditional music, song and dance.

The Má Afrika competition is one of the African Renaissance Projects of President Thabo Mbeki and endorsed by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). Its patron is well known opera diva and jazz singer, Sibongile Khumalo.

Sibongile Buthelezi, who performed with a number of traditional music and dance groups at the Playhouse, with Siwela Sonke and Themi Venturas Productions, has been supported by Durban Arts in the past. She is dedicated to her chosen field of traditional dance training for unfortunate and abandoned young children. Funding is always a problem and anyone who can help should phone Lindi on (031) 312-1236.