Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Entertainment Desk is at it again this year, where it recognizes the entertainment industry greats for the year’s achievements.
The team uses these awards to honour excellence in the entertainment industry. Locals have had a good year and have done remarkably well for themselves in the different entertainment genres.
The Eswatini entertainment industry artists, with some new comers and oldies have to be applauded for their work. It is worth noting that these are the department’s chosen few and this is not to discredit other hard-working individuals.
Awards are given to creative who have generally performed best in their respective sectors and the following individuals were seen to be ‘doing the most’ this year.
BEST MUSIC PRODUCER – !SOOKS
DJ and Producer !SOOKS has done the most this year alone and in the past years.
The house DJ has managed to put Eswatini on the map with his invigorating tunes, which have placed him on some of the biggest stages in South Africa (SA). Real name Sukoluhle Dlamini has produced his own music and has released several EP’s produced by himself.
His done several work that include the release of ‘7 Years of Colour ‘and ‘4 The Wolves’. His also done wonderful work after collaborating with Artz jazz in the track titled ‘Kingdoms’. The spinner was also a mentor on the Vuku Bone Sound Lab where he spoke profoundly on sound engineering and more.
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER – SHAUN DE SOUSA
May we all stand and give photographer extraordinaire Shaun also known as DJ Tap in the deejaying scenes a round of applause.
The photographer has captured a number of memorable moments from events covered and cultural events in the country.
The artist has done exceptionally well for himself as his been praised locally and internally after doing some amazing photography work with SA celebrity couple DJ Zinhle and Morda of whom he still works with till today.
BEST POET – CHRISTIAN MAZ
Besides that, Christian Maz is Eswatini’s award-winning poet, the young artist, real name Siphiwosihle Christian Maziya has really accomplished this year and in previous years.
The skillful poet, who has unique skill that has allowed him to enter different spheres in poetry, including comic poetry has proven his versatility in the art and is deserving of the award. The poet besides being one of the most booked poets has also accomplished a One Man Poetry show, held at the Theatre Club, last year November 26 where he debuted his album titled Ekhaya.
YOUTUBER OF THE YEAR – TITITI NTSHANGASE
This one was pretty obvious; the team did not even have to discuss this one. She is one of Eswatini’s influential entrepreneurs, Nomfuneko ‘ Tititi’ Ntshangase. Besides being one of the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund (YERF) Board members, she is also the chief executive officer (CEO) of one of the most popular eateries; The Food Hut.
The talented and vibrant Tititi introduces her followers into her world, where she shares some tips on different things and basically shows you a little bit of everything that goes on in her life. She is currently sitting on 2.32K subscribers with 69 videos on her channel.
TIKTOKER OF THE YEAR – NURSE WE KHANTRI
He will have you on the floor with laughter with his hilarious commentary. If anything, this nurse is one the most enjoyed TikToker who will go from criticing and giving fashion tips, advise on health care and shoot unforgettable content for his fans.
The stylish, fashionista, midwife nurse is versatile in his videos and enjoys vlogging for fun. The vibrant and refreshing TikToker is currently sitting on 62 900 followers and 446 500 likes on the social media platform.
BEST MC – PHIWO DHLAMINI
Real name Phiwokuhle Mandisa Dhlamini is a communications specialist by profession and one of the best MCs we have seen yet.
She has done remarkable work this year as the host of one of the biggest events in the country. Phiwo who is bubbly and instantly catches your attention by her mere presence is a deserving candidate for this one. She was the host for the Eswatini Standard Bank Blue Table Talks. The MTN Bushfire main stage host and her most recent hosting gig was the Lawn Experiences hosted at Solani Shisanyama. This girl knows her stuff!
BEST DJ – UNCLE WAFFLES
Undoubtedly the most decorated local artist this year. Uncle Waffles has not only built a name for herself internationally, but she is definitely on her own level this year and the title of artist of the year definitely goes to her and her team.
This young lady, who is full of surprises has accomplished so much more than anyone could have expected. She has had so many highs that we have lost count of.
She has been a multi-platinum and BET Award-nominated artist for Best International Act, she has been on the cover of Forbes Africa, she has bagged GQ Men of the Year People’s Choice Award, she has been interviewed by renowned media organisation CNN and rocked the debut of Hey Neighbour Festival in Pretoria. That’s just the most recent accomplishments she’s had, otherwise we could on about her till the pages finished on our paper. Well done Lungelihle Zwane.
BEST COMEDIAN – SMALLZ THE COMEDIAN
The shortest of them all, but one of the funniest. Despite his demise, he definitely deserves this one.
The Manzini-born and bred artist before his death was working on a number of projects, one of which was a comic movie known as ‘Yindze Lendlela’ which captured his talent so perfectly after it was viewed for the first time yesterday. The comedian worked on the project with Gogo Eswatini and S’lwane not, leaving out some SA talents.
Smallz was the first comic to be handed an award in the year 2015/16 making him the Best Comedian of the year. He has also been recognised at the comic choice awards and received a number of nominations. May he continue resting with all his talents.
BEST EVENT – MTN BUSHFIRE
The MTN Bushfire Festival is always a jump but this year’s edition took the levels to another high. The festival besides attracting internationals, had the best line up from locals to international acts.
The different stages which caters for the different music genre lovers makes it an even convenient attraction. Some of the best local talents performed these include acts such as Velemseni, Qibho Intalektual, Thobile Makhoyane, Supa CDQ, Mixmash, DJ Expo and many more. The international acts were a marvel and very much enjoyed by the crowd. Performances such of Kabza De Small and Morda attracted the masses. In all its years the event grows bigger and better making it the best event of the year.
BEST TV PRESENTER – CHUKI DLAMINI
Dynamites come in small packages. She is beautiful, black and proud and that is what makes her stand out from the rest. The vibrant and energetic Chuki who has been Eswatini Tv’s bubbliest host for Eswatini Lifestyle where she attends the biggest events and speaks to artists and the crowd.
She has been an MC for Little Miss Eswatini and has graced SA television screens on DStv Channel 128 where she was the host of the Jambo WWE show. She put the country on the map as she was confidently in her element, even mentioning that she is from Eswatini. She has done remarkably well for herself and has joined the ranks with the other good TV presenters we have in the country.
BEST FINE ARTIST – LWAZI TSELA
This is one of the hardest to agree on with the team. If we were being fair Lwazi Tsela is a good portrait artist and has penciled some of the best artists locally and internationally. His work has also been recognized by the artists his drawn. His made portraits of the likes of Uncle Waffles, Somizi, Pearl Thusi and Thuso Mbedu. The artist who specialises in visual art using charcoal and graphite pencil has been received well by fans on social media as well as other artists.
BEST GRAPHIC DESIGNER – ZUMA
The graphic designer who studied at the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology has widened his horizons to SA and has made it big in the neighbouring country. His worked with local companies of which his made billboards for and designed their social media, designed a cover for SABC 1 TV programme ‘The Executives’, he has done a number of album covers such as the likes of Kelvin Momo, Judy Jay and Oscar Mbo’s single ‘Since we met’ where he even received recognition from DJ Lamiez Holsworthy, he further worked on a single cover for Mawhoo’s single that features Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa and Da Muziqal. His recent win was his artwork for Kelvin Momos’s latest album titled ‘Kurhula’.
BEST GOSPEL ARTIST – LONDIWE SPHE NXUMALO
Former Joyous Celebration and Crown Gospel Award winner Londiwe Sphe Nxumalo deserves her flowers and so we are handing them to her. The artist who has made fellow Gospel artist and the country at large proud was not being recognized for the first time this year as the singing sensationalist has received her first award in 2020 at the Ukhonunkamva Gospel Awards for the Best Gospel Album, the second in the same year at the second Mpumalanga Gospel Awards for Best National Female and her third in 2021 at the third Ingoma Awards for Best Worship Album. It was no surprise when she walked away with the Best Gospel Itende Award at the 16th Crown Gospel Awards.
BEST HANG-OUT SPOT – THE DESTINATION
Can we all stand and give this spot a round of applause. After opening its doors in January, The Destination has done well for itself. It started a bit slow hosting some rising local acts but now can be counted among one of the leading entertainment spots in the country, hosting big local and international artists. Artists who have graced the venues stage include Eemoh, Ayacity, Fantancy, Bholoja, House Cat, Mr Brown and most recently Gqom artist Tipcee.
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