Kojo Antwi wins African Award

SUN CITY, South Africa, Nov 18 (AFP) - Ghana's Kojo Antwi won the "Best group or artist from west Africa" award at the Africa's Kora awards with his song "Me do fo pa."

Africa's Kora awards ceremony gave its top music prize Saturday to Kaysha, of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He walked away with a cheque for 200,000 rand -- about 30,000 dollars -- and the glory of being named best artist.

The Extra Musica group from the DRC won the best African group award at the event in Sun City, South Africa, for "Amnistie."

The awards, now in their fifth year, are designed to highlight African talent. The kora is a ubiquitous African instrument, based on a calabash, which has up to 21 strings.

The all-Africa panel of judges honoured Ladysmith Black Mambazo of South Africa with a special award for their contribution to African music.

Juan Els, one of the South African organisers of the event, said one of the main aims of the award was to raise the profile of the continent's emerging music talents.

"After winning a Kora the artists suddenly find themselves being played all over the continent."

Other winners:

Best group or artist from southern Africa: Jabu Khaniyle from South Africa for "The Prince."

Best group or artist from central Africa: Tala Andre Marie from Cameroon for "Piego Hela."

Best group or artist from the African-American diaspora: Sisquo from the United States for "Thong Song."

Best group or artist from west Africa: Kojo Antwi from Ghana for "Me do fo pa."

Best traditional artist or group: King Mensah from Togo for "Fetou."

Best artist or group from north Africa: Seba from Algeria for "Chouft."

Best artist or group from east Africa: Jean Marc Volcy from Algeria.

Best African video: Lucky Dube from South Africa for "The way it is."

Best African arrangement: Bongo Maffin from South Africa for "Ndiphendule."

Most promising male artist: Wanamah from the Ivory Coast for "Farafina."

Most promising female artist: Zenzi from South Africa for "Rain."

This year the awards events will span the whole weekend, with an all-day AIDS benefit concert in Johannesburg Sunday for an expected 25,000 people with a line-up that includes South African pop diva Brenda Fassie, who won last year's best artist award.