Mozambican musician DeHermes won two music awards last week at the Shinning Star Africa Awards gala, which took place in Sandton, South Africa.

The rising youngster's triumph on the Mozambican music scene came with the song "Aritimoh", in the categories of Breakthrough Artist of the Year 2024 and Best Song of the Year 2024.

This is pandza music, a genuinely Mozambican style that combines traditional and contemporary rhythms. In fact, DeHermes is one of the artists currently focusing on pandza and promoting it across borders.

"What I've done as an artist is embrace my roots and believe in the potential of our rich culture, which has so much to offer and show the world," he explains, adding that his aim "is to export pandza in the best possible way, to put Mozambique on the map and make everything we've been fighting for over the years count, culturally speaking and otherwise".

In an interview with South African television after receiving the statuettes, DeHermes called on Mozambicans to embrace their roots, believe in their potential and work hard, with discipline first, because recognition will follow.

In this interview, DeHermes also pointed out that taking home the two awards is proof that Mozambican culture is "worth a lot".

Regarding the awards, DeHermes says it was an honour to be recognized at an event that celebrates emerging and established African artists, and "to see my work recognized at a time when there is a lack of identity and self-respect in the country is quite comforting," he said.

It should be noted that the song "Aritimoh" is part of his debut album - "A caminho de Gaza" - released on November 10, 2022, and which marks the beginning of his career, celebrating a new page for what was "a mission of discovery after my return to Mozambique."