Chitoliro Productionz, curators of the UMP Awards, has released nominations for the 2025 UMP music and fashion awards.
The nominees will compete in 30 different categories in the music awards with 15 categories up for grabs under the fashion awards.
Some of the categories to be contested for in the fashion awards include Model of the Year (female and male), Fashion Designer of the Year, Best New Designer, Best Urban/Streetwear Designer and Best Accessories Designer.
Some of the names that have received nominations in the fashion awards include models Edith Mafubza, Small Wifey, Monalisa Kafuwa, Hackson, Ibrahim Kateranya, designer Xandria, Dolphin Designs, House of Stiches and Nomonde Designs.
The organisers said UMP Fashion Awards will spotlight the creativity, influence and innovation shaping Malawi’s fashion landscape.
“From iconic models to visionary designers and trending celebrities, this year’s award nominess reflect the diversity and dynamism of our local fashion scene. As the industry continues to evolve, these awards not only recognise excellence but also inspire the next generation of fashion leaders,” reads a statement in part from Chitoliro Productionz.
The music awards include Africa/regional/international categories such as African Artist of the Year, Sadc Regional Artist of the Year, Best West African Act, Best East African Act, Best North African Act, Best New African Act and Global Impact Award.
Local amapiano musician Zeze Kingston, who has received five nominations in the music awards, has once again excused himself from the awards. This is the second time for the artist to refuse to participate in local awards after he also did the same with Maso Awards.
“My position remains the same. I am not participating. My management has already talked to the organisers to clarify my position. I am in full support for all those who have been nominated and I wish them all the best,” he said in an interview yesterday.
Namadingo, who also stated that he does not participate in local awards, has received seven nominations in the awards.
He said: “I have just seen it online. I don’t participate, but they still give in absentia.”
Speaking in an interview yesterday, UMP Awards executive producer Ken ‘Zizwa’ Limwame said they will only exclude names of particular nominees once they receive formal communication from the artists themselves.
“To alter or exclude any name would mean disregarding the voices of the fans and experts who participate in the nomination and voting process, unless if we asked to do so,” he said.
Limwame said the nomination process was done by a panel of experts from diverse professional backgrounds in the industry such as DJs, artists, critics and journalists whose choices were complemented by 19 percent of weighted votes from public nominations.
He said the regional and international categories align with the outfit’s vision to position Malawi and UMP as part of the broader African and global creative ecosystem, adding that recognising talent beyond our borders, facilitates collaboration, cultural exchange and visibility for Malawian artists on larger platforms.
“We are an awards platform with a cause. Beyond celebrating artistic excellence, UMP Awards seek to create meaningful impact by providing a networking and promotional platform for music professionals from Malawi and across Africa,” said Limwame.
Voting of the awards will take place from October 8 to October 20 and the awards presentations will take place on October 25 during the UMP Festival at CapeMclear in Mangochi.
