Three Malawians have emerged winners in the continental Zikomo Africa Awards held on Wednesday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Afro-dance artist Temwah won the Best Artist Award, Emmie Deebo won the Best Female Artist in Southern Africa while entrepreneur and evangelist Prophet Shepherd Bushiri got the Philanthropist of the Year Award.
Twenty-nine Malawian artists were nominated for the awards in different categories and were up against artists from Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda and Guinea.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Emmie Deebo said the award represents a special honour which will give her a springboard in her music pursuits. The Hapa hit maker paid tribute to her fans for the support.
“In a career, it is the next step that matters. Such recognition provides the much-needed motivation and clearly the award has laid down a marker of where I want to go to next. My eyes are set for the biggest prizes and I will not relent on that pursuit,” she said.
On her part, Temwah said she is thankful to her fans who voted for her and everyone who contributed to her success. She said she believes the award has been down to the hard work she has invested in her art.
She said: “I am very excited. Honestly, the competition was tough. There were a lot of people and great talent who were equally deserving of the award. I am so thankful to God and I take this as a blessing because I did not expect it.
“I am planning on building on this success. Such recognition come with new connections and I am looking forward to leverage on that. There is that opportunity and space to work with more international artists.”
Other notable winners from the region include popular Zambian veteran actor Monde Mutale who won the Lifetime Achievers Award and Tanzanian Diamond Platnumz who won the Collabo of the Year Award, Ethiopian Veronica Adane and Gloria Bugie from Uganda.
The Zikomo Africa Awards are a Zambian awards platform established in 2021 to celebrate organisations, entertainers and other minorities in music, film, philanthropy and fashion in Zambia and other African countries.
