​Nduduzo Makhathini, 'n meesterstudent by die Universiteit Stellenbosch (US), het die prys vir die 'beste jazz album' by die Suid-Afrikaanse Musiek-toekennings (SAMAs) gewen. Hy het die toekenning gewen vir sy nuutste album, Inner Dimensions, tydens 'n geleentheid wat Saterdag 27 Mei by Sun City plaasgevind het.

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Video: Aryan Kaganof 

Makhathini, wie terselfdertyd studeer en werk as die Hoof van die Universiteit Fort Hare se musiekdepartement, is in 2015 aangewys as die Standard Bank Young Artist-wenner vir jazz-musiek. Hy het Sama-toekennings in 2015 en 2016 onderskeidelik ontvang vir Mother Tongue en Listening to the Ground.

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"I am very grateful and thankful for this award, I always felt with the kind of work I do it is important that it finds a way of reaching out to more people as I believe that I am doing cultural work rather than entertaining. So I feel the award in many ways will open a bigger reach for this record and most importantly the message that it carries," Makhathini commented.

"The album is based on an idea that for us to contribute positively to the greater consciousness, one has to first work on themselves as individuals," he said of Inner Dimensions.

The artist is working on his new record iKhambi, and says he is "very excited about this record". He's also completing his master's thesis on the topic 'A critical and musical response to the life and music of Bheki Mseleku' through Africa Open, an interdisciplinary institute for music research and innovation located at Stellenbosch University.

"Makhathini is a musical powerhouse. His work is ground-breaking and experimental in nature. His artistry is changing jazz piano and composition in South Africa. He is also a sympathetic teacher and has a great influence on young musicians in his position as lecturer at Fort Hare," said Stephanus Muller, Director of Africa Open.