Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) director general George Kasakula says the Entertainers of the Year Awards are an important platform to celebrate and reward local talent.
He made the remarks at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe on Wednesday during a press briefing to provide an update on the Entertainers of the Year Awards ceremony preparations slated for Saturday at the same venue.
Kasakula said MBC accommodated all the feedback it received.
He said: “We listened to public concerns and have worked tirelessly to address them to ensure a smoother and more engaging ceremony.
“The awards aim to reward talent based on both popularity and performance and reflects what Malawians believe entertained them the most this year. Hosting this is an honour and we are determined to deliver a glamorous and world-class ceremony.”
Organising committee chairperson Chisomo Mwamadi said some of the adjustments to the programme align with international standards such as restricting it to a two-hour ceremony.
“Out of 51 awards, 27 will be presented on stage while the remaining 24 winners will collect their prizes from MBC offices. We want to ensure that the programme is glamorous and sticks to international standards,” he said.
Well-travelled jazz artist Erik Paliani and Afro-pop artist Kelly Kay are expected to perform during the event.
In an interview on Wednesday, Paliani saluted efforts MBC made in reviving the awards.
Categories to be awarded include secular artist of the year, best radio actor/actress of the year, radio personality of the year, best footballer and netballer of the year, poet of the year, content creator of the year and actor /actress of the year.
