Lilongwe Buzz

Awards Must Improve On Nomination And Voting Systems
…As MBC Entertainers of The Year Stand A Chance To Do Better

Organizers of different awards such as music in the country must be commended for taking a bold step to recognize and honour talents as well as celebrate achievements of individual players and the creative industries, as a whole.
Personally, I do not take this noble investment and gesture for granted because awards go a long way to motivate creatives to even do better.

Again, it is inspiring for countries like Malawi to honour its citizens for different achievements and contributions because this shows commitment towards promoting excellence.
Really, government should directly support or create a conducive environment for different initiatives such as music awards in order to promote and .

However, for a long time, I have observed controversies surrounding awards, particularly those to do with . Almost every year, there is a scandal or misunderstanding which forces some nominees to pull out last minute or dismiss the awards as bogus. And most of the bickerings fault poor nomination and voting systems as bone of contention.

This is something which threatens the reputation of otherwise good awards and the nominees.

Two days ago, a big scandal happened in this year’s Maso Music Awards where some influential artists faulted nomination procedure in certain categories, hence pulling out of the race or recommending fellow artists.

For example, Rapper Duncan Zgambo AKA Gwamba has censured his nomination in the category of Best Male Artist of the Year, suggesting that the nomination should go to FADA Motionist , one of the fast-growing artists. Big up Gwambizo for your honest assessment of the category that it deserves someone like Fada Moti.

Likewise, two Afro Pop female artists Temwah and Emmie Deebo Emmie Deebo of Akometsi pulled out of the competition in the category of Best Female Artist of the Year.

The two suggested that the revered nomination and award should go to the 70-year-old music sensation JETU of Chakhwaza fame. They argued that the elderly artist dedicated herself this year thus she deserves recognition.

Wait a minute, I see something great which a lot of people, including the organizers of Maso Music Awards, are missing here.

A big artist like Gwamba or Temwah nominating a fellow artist is a golden buzzer for sure. This cannot be taken lightly. Artist’s endorsement of fellow artist is not something easy. I remember in the past big artists and other influential figures were being given opportunity to vote for media personalities (thus include DJs and Journalists) in awards like UMP. And their votes were carrying some vital power, maybe times 10 the ordinary votes.

Critically looking at the current issue of nominations and voting systems in the country, it leaves a lot to be desired. These days awards organizers and artists simply rely on their large following on social media to get easy nominations and votes. That’s why some quarters fault the awards as being bogus.

I totally, agree with this observation because some artists simply use their social media influence to buy votes, not necessarily earn them. There is overwhelming evidence which indicates that overreliance on social media-based nominations and voting is producing fake artistic offsprings.

Picture this scenario: a musician who got millions in royalties but appear no where near nominations? Where are you getting the basis? You can do better, don’t be lazy in diversifying the systems of getting nominees and votes.

As a learned arts journalist, I know the business side of awards and that social media has simplified things which help people to cut operation costs. But let us stick to what is necessary, standard, transparent and accountable. Don’t compromise on quality because doing so is a mockery to the discipline of art!

The point I am trying to drive home is that organizers of awards in the country should work with bodies like the Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA), which at least, has a system which tracks the relevance and contributions of artists in the country. For example, the royalties which COSOMA administer to different creatives (artists) show the evidence of artists’ impact and contributions to the creative industries. This is in sharp contract with social-media generated nominates and votes which recognize even those whose who buy the awards.

Awards should also utilize the votes of industry captains and other influential figures whose votes should carry vital power.

Otherwise, it does not look professional for musicians whose impact and influence on royalties is unquestionable should win awards. Where do you get the justification? Social Media votes only? My foot!

Additionally, in my view, awards should accompany a monetary value as a consolation. Not just conferring of some trophies made of wood or metal.

Back to Jetu’s endorsement, I personally back her to be in her own class which deserves an honorary award in the special category of Elderly Performer of the Year. I mean, Jetu has defied the odds.

And putting her in the same category with the youthful and energetic female artists like Theresa Phondo, Tuno, Lady Aika, Kellie Divine Njuchi, Keturah, Temwa and Emmie Deebo is doing great injustice to the elderly artist. Yes, awards do not recognize people out of sympathy. But forcing Jetu to compete with energetic youthful artists is unsound. You feel me?

Last but not least, the current challenges that have rocked the Maso Music Awards should, therefore, serve as an eye opener to the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation’s (MBC) MBC Digital Entertainers of the Year to set good standards.

I have a strong feeling that MBC is too smart to honour mediocrity because people look at the re-introduction of Entertainers of the Year as hope to the lost glory of legitimate awards and standards in Malawi.

Captions: Fada Moti and Jetu have been endorsed by fellow artists.

Howard Mlozi

Temwa, Tabitha Fly the Malawi Flag

Malawi's International Women's Football sensations Temwa TC6 Chawinga and Tabitha TC11 Chawinga have claimed the global spotlight for their outstanding performance, raising the Malawi Flag on the global women's football scene.

Meanwhile, women's football enthusiasts are basking in glory over the stunning performances of two unstoppable football stars.

According to current statistics by her club, KC Current Temwa has achieved immense exploits in her debut National Women's Soccer League season.

Among others she has become one of the club's phenomenal figures. Currently, Temwa is 5x Overall Best XI, Sharples 1st Best XI and Schult 1st Best XI for the club.

Whereas , Tabitha who plays for Olympique Lyonnais Féminin is leading with impressive records as well. Last night she scored a Hattrick against En Avant Guingamp.

Tabitha was also nominated the world's best 16th player in the 2024 rankings.

( Howard Mlozi reporting for Lilongwe Buzz )

to the world.

Priscilla Kaira To Host Zikomo Africa Awards

One of Malawi's finest Director of Ceremonies Priscilla Kayira Nsane who is also Zodiak Online Broadcasting Station's (ZBS) presenter will be out for her first international assignment to host this year's Zikomo Africa Awards to be held in South Africa this month end.

Zikomo Africa Awards are one of the Africa's prestigious ceremonies that celebrate and reward excellence in the creative industries such as music and fashion.

The charming and sweet-voiced Priscilla has been earmarked to host the main awards gala which is slated for November 30 at Sandton Hotel, Benmore Gardens in Gauteng, Johannesburg in the rainbow nation.

Priscilla has a stunning record of hosting big events locally and her selection to host the Zikomo Africa Awards has not come as surprise for the country 's showbiz fraternity.

Apart from playing a host to the awards ceremony, Priscilla has also been nominated in two categories of the Zikomo Africa Awards namely: Event Host of the Year ear and Brand Influencers of the Year.

(Howard Mlozi reporting for Lilongwe Buzz)

Did you know that Malawi is the Warm Heart of Africa with incredible local foods, tourism attractions and destinations?



Note: some pictures are courtesy of Travel with Mervis and Amaryllis Hotels Blantyre

Lulu Unveils More Artists For Mathumela Festival

Lilongwe-based musician Lawrence Khwisa, who is popularly known as Lulu in the music circles, has unveiled more artists to perform at this year's Mathumela Music Festival.

Lulu said the festival, which is slated for December 1 at Masintha Ground in Lilongwe, will feature the best performers.

Meanwhile, Amapiano star Zeze, Charisma Madness, Emmie Deebo Emmie Deebo and Mr Zembani have been added to the list of performers.

"This year the festival will produce fireworks because it will feature creams of the country's music. The artists are being requested by fans. They are people's choice," said Lulu.

Courtesy of Lulu & Mathumela Band the Mathumela Music Festival seeks to celebrate music culture and Lulu's career which spans from early 2000s.

"The annual festival is one way of giving back to society for the unwavering support rendered to my career. There would've been no Lulu and Mathumela Band had it been not for their love and support.

I owe my success to my fans and the corporate world which are always there to give me support," said Lulu.