The M-Net packaged music channel, Channel O (DStv 320) celebrates its 20th anniversary on Saturday night with a special Channel O 20th Anniversary Music Festival that took place, and was filmed for a TV special, at Newton Park in Johannesburg.
People could buy tickets for the festival that featured a large array of artists, while M-Net also created a beautiful Channel O VIP section.
This VIP section was filled on Saturday night with "by invitation only" guests, music biz bigwigs and media from across South Africa who all came together to celebrate the TV channel's big milestone.
The Channel O 20th anniversary featured a line-up of legends who have been part of the channel's line-up since its inception on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform in 1997.
Also on stage were Busiswa, the kwaito stars Trompies, TKZee and Tbebe, as well as Frank Casino, Nasty C and Benny Maverick.
A special "tribute segment" paid homage to music industry heroes who have passed away like Brenda Fassie, Flabba, Mandoza and Lebo Manthosa with artists doing cover versions of their most popular songs.
"In true Channel O style, we've pulled out all the stops for our 20th birthday," says Reneilwe Sema, M-Net's director for local entertainment.
"Two decades at the forefront of music entertainment is a remarkable feat, and we're dedicating this milestone to the artists, presenters, record labels and industry leaders who've enjoyed this journey of success with us; but most of all it's for the fans - music lovers past and present, without whom Channel I would not be the mega brand it's become today".
