Choral Indigenous Music Awards (CIMA)
The Choral Indigenous Music Awards (CIMA) is a premier cultural initiative founded in 2025 by the Sounds of Azania Cultural and Creative Incubator, with the mission of preserving, celebrating, and advancing indigenous choral music traditions in South Africa and across the African continent.
CIMA exists to honour the composers, arrangers, conductors, choirs, producers, and cultural workers who continue to shape choral indigenous music as a living, evolving art form rooted in African heritage, spirituality, and community life. From Isicathamiya, Amadodana, Zion and Clap & Tap, to traditional and contemporary choral expressions, CIMA provides a dignified platform where excellence, innovation, and cultural authenticity are recognised and rewarded.
Beyond awards, CIMA is a cultural development programme. The initiative integrates:
- Community outreach and school revival programmes
- Music workshops and seminars
- Artist development and capacity-building
- Dialogue on intellectual property, sustainability, and the creative economy
Strategically aligned with South Africa’s Freedom Day (27 April) and broader social-cohesion milestones, CIMA positions choral music not only as performance, but as a tool for nation-building, healing, education, and intergenerational knowledge transfer.
Founding Organisation – Sounds of Azania Cultural and Creative Incubator
The Sounds of Azania Cultural and Creative Incubator is a multidisciplinary cultural institution dedicated to nurturing African talent across music, broadcasting, publishing, events, education, and media innovation. Through its radio platforms, academy, festivals, publications, and development programmes, Sounds of Azania champions Pan-African values, indigenous knowledge systems, and sustainable creative entrepreneurship.
CIMA is one of the incubator’s flagship cultural legacy projects, reflecting its long-term commitment to heritage preservation, youth development, and creative industry transformation.
Our Vision
To establish the Choral Indigenous Music Awards as the leading African platform for the preservation, celebration, and global recognition of indigenous choral music.
Our Mission
- To honour excellence in choral indigenous music
- To develop and protect African musical heritage
- To empower artists through education, recognition, and opportunity
- To promote social cohesion through culture and collective memory
