Luso TV awards shifted

Private television station, Luso TV, has shifted its inaugural arts awards which were aimed at recognising artists who have done exceptionally well in the year 2013.
Initially, the awards dubbed Luso Achievements Awards, were scheduled for December 30 at Capital Hotel’s Marquee but the event has been shifted due to the unavailability of an appropriate venue.
“As per what we stand for, we felt we should recognise specific achievements across the Malawi arts terrain by awarding those who have done well in 2013. We have postponed the awards until a new plan is hatched as to when to hold the event, after discussions with our partners.
“We did consultations and came up with categories such as Best Musician Secular and Gospel, Performing Arts Groups, Footballer and Netballer, Coach for both netball and football and Best Band,” said the TV’s station manager Franklin Phanga.
Luso partnered with organisations MultiChoice Malawi, through its GoTv brand, and Hi Fi Electronics who were to be responsible for both material and monetary prizes of K100 000 to each winner.
“In our consultations, we came up with a list of nominees and Malawians were to vote through phone voting. We realised that while we are the brains behind the awards, we need to engage the public as the final decider of who should be awarded.
“The postponement should not in any way disappoint fans or artists in the country who over the years have cried for recognition in the country. We remain committed towards the uplifting of arts in the country, therefore we should have the awards mid or January month end,” explained Phanga.
Outside the 10 categories, Luso TV will also honour companies and organisations that have supported it in its three months of broadcast.
Beaming in the Central Region, the private television is set to spread to all parts of the country in second week of January following the high possibility of Malawi switching from analogue to digital by December 31.