Somizi lights up Nyasa Music Awards
Nyasa Music Awards (NMAs) decision to have South African Somizi Mhlongo alias Somgaga as host for the awards event last Friday evening proved a masterstroke though it was initially met with resistance.
The announcement by the NMAs organisers that Somizi will be the official host of the second edition of the local music wards was met with negative reception as much as skepticism, with some quarters doubting if the South African socialite could really turn up for the event.
As the countdown to the event drew closer, a lot of people still could not believe the organisers that Somizi would touch down on Malawian soil. It was only when Somizi posted on his Instagram account on Thursday afternoon that a sense of belief and relief swept across entertainment lovers, who were bracing for eventful awards at Comesa Hall in Blantyre.
After over two hours of waiting for the event to kick off, finally, the South African walked briskly on stage alongside the event’s co-host Judith Msonthi. That was the moment the audience knew they were in for a night of fun.
“Mama, I made it! I am in Malawi. This makes me happy because it is the fulfilment of the African dream,” he said amidst the deafening ululations of approval. Somizi made it clear that he will so much be part of the audience as opposed to being stuck on the stage. True to his word and to the disbelief of the audience, he sprinted around the hall while shouting on top his voice.
He remarked: “I do not like the idea of being separated from people. So you will not see me get stuck on the podium here. This should be a night of fun.”
Somizi’s almost weird outfits which he is well known for awed in equal measure to the intrigue they caused. Every time he left the stage, he reappeared in a different stylish and classy outfit which augured well with the red carpet event.
He was full of energy throughout and he sent the audience in electric mode every time he appeared on stage. Occasionally, he went to have a sip of beer from the tables close to the stage.
One of the NMAs directors James Makunje Jnr said their decision to bring on board Somizi as host of the show paid off in the most perfect way judging by the reception the audience gave him.
“We wanted a bigger personality, which the NMAs and Malawi music could ride on and that goal has been achieved,” he said.
Makunje said he was impressed with the way the event turned out, but still they are dreaming on growing the audience and scale of the awards in the years ahead.
He added: “We want to get Malawian music exposed to the whole of Africa. We want to get it to a scale where the whole of Africa will be watching the Nyasa Music Awards. Our plan is to get it live on DStv.”
Minus the hype which Somizi brought, the toast of the night was Faith Mussa who carted home three awards for Best Live Act, Best Acoustic Artist and Best Gospel Artist.
Rapper Tay Grin went home with two awards after winning the Best Male Artist and Best Video for his song 21.
Performances from Zathu Band, Gwamba, Zani Challe, Tay Grin and Great Angels Choir completed the menu on the lineup of activities on the night on the well lit stage provided by Entertainers Promotions. n
