It’s almost spring, and on Tuesday we spent the afternoon on the terrace of Summer Place in Hyde Park, sipping sundowners and soaking up the sun.
All of this courtesy of DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards launch, with media personality and businesswoman Bonang Matheba playing host again.
‘Queen B’ was dressed in a gorgeous floral Spero Villioti Couture halter neck dress, finishing off the last days of winter in style.
The awards ceremony aims to acknowledge and celebrate home-grown talent in various entertainment streams.
There are 11 categories, plus the 1Life life changer award and the ultimate viewers’ choice (most voted in total).
This year a new category has been added - favourite personality of the year, which will be awarded to the person who has gone out of their way to make an impact in society. Matheba is a nominee in this category, along with Papa Penny, Nomzamo Mbatha, Somizi Mhlongo and Kagiso Rabada.
The director of local entertainment channels at M-Net, Reneilwe Sema, says an idea was mooted years ago to create a show that went beyond celebrating talent, and that gave birth to the awards.
“It’s great to be back to talk about this amazing celebration of local talent. We work very hard to find ways to widen our growing audience and the appeal of our offerings. But we also have to pay attention to our responsibility, and that’s to grow and lead our creative industry.
“The DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards will make sure that we celebrate this talent across stage, screen and stadiums regardless of where this talent sits.
“At the end of the day it’s the celebration of talent and Mzansi entertainment culture.”
Below is the full list of the categories and nominees:
FAVOURITE SONG OF THE YEAR
Prince Kaybee & Lasoulmates ft Zanda Zakuza & TNS - Club Controller.
DJ Maphorisa ft DJ Tira, Busiswa & Moonchild Sanelly - Midnight Starring.
Heavy K ft Nokwazi & Bucie - Inde.
Distruction Boyz ft Dladla Mshunqisi & Benny Maverick - Omunye.
Kwesta ft Wale - Spirit.
FAVOURITE TV PRESENTER
Lerato Kganyago, Thomas Mlambo, Pearl Modiadie, Carol Tshabalala and Anele Mdoda.
FAVOURITE COMEDIAN (KIA)
Skhumba, Felix Hlophe, Tumi Morake, Smokey Nyembe and Mpho Popps.
FAVOURITE RISING STAR (KIA)
Smash Afrika, Luvo Manyonga, Distruction Boyz, Langa Mavuso and Lungi Ngidi.
FAVOURITE RADIO PERSONALITY
Anele Mdoda, Ntate Thuso Motaung, Dudu ‘Lady D’ Khoza, DJ Fresh and Selby ‘Selbeyonce’ Mkhize.
FAVOURITE ACTOR (1LIFE)
Warren Masemola, Hamilton Dlamini, Mduduzi Mabaso, Masoja Msiza and Khulu Skenjana.
FAVOURITE ACTRESS (1LIFE)
Thembsie Matu, Rami Chuene, Linda Sebezo, Moshidi Motshegwa and Lesego Marakalla.
FAVOURITE MUSIC ARTIST / GROUP (CASTLE MILK STOUT)
Lady Zamar, Shekhinah, Distruction Boyz, Khuzani and AKA.
FAVOURITE DJ
Ms Cosmo, DJ Maphorisa, Prince Kaybee, DJ Tira and Black Coffee.
FAVOURITE SPORTS PERSONALITY (SUPERSPORT)
Kagiso Rabada, Percy Tau, Caster Semenya, Pitso Mosimane and Siya Kolisi.
FAVOURITE PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Papa Penny, Bonang Matheba, Nomzamo Mbatha, Somizi Mhlongo and Kagiso Rabada.