Players in the entertainment industry have bemoaned the cancellation of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation’s 2025 Entertainers of the Year Awards.
Yesterday MBC cited limited time to plan, prepare and execute a ceremony owing to the tight schedule the public broadcaster had.
In separate interviews stakeholders described the decision as regrettable saying it will affect the gains the awards earned in the two years of their resumption.
Seasoned music producer Taps Bandawe said it was sad as the awards cover many categories in entertainment and sports.
He said: “The entertainers of the Year Awards are Malawi’s first award programme. It started decades ago. Of course, it stopped for a while and it returned two years ago and now this messes up the momentum it gained.
“It is an important ceremony because it opens up opportunities for people who win the awards.”
However, Bandawe said due to the political changes in the country, the decision to cancel the event is understandable adding that as situations change, new players always come with their ideas.
The veteran producer said this is an opportunity to learn how to do things because there will always be changes.
Poetry Association of Malawi president Robert Chiwamba said the awards are useful as they motivate players in the creative industry to come up with better works.
He said: “Having peaked in the past two years and having set standards, I was hopeful of continued improvement recognition of players in the creative industry. Since they have not said it is not the end, we are hopeful for the return in the near future.”
Filmmaker Charles Shemu Joyah said MBC should take this as an opportunity to work towards creating awards that are credible to have an impact on the creative sector.
“I think awards are important and add value to the entertainment industry if they are properly organised. Otherwise, the entertainment industry is better off without poorly organised awards,” he said.
In a separate interview, MBC’s public relations and customer affairs manager Chisomo Mwamadi said the event that has been cancelled is the 2025 edition and they will soon get direction from management programme’s future and direction.
He said: “I am sure our partners will understand that the decision has been made in good faith and with proper reasons. It will be better to give Malawians something well-baked other than rush through the process.”
