Local personalities Pabi Moloi, Zonke, Kabelo and Sizwe will
be among the hosts at the glittering awards ceremony for the 18th Annual MTN
South African Music Awards, the organisers announced this week. The four will
be among nine celebrity hosts on the night, with further details to be revealed
in the run-up to the main awards, taking place at Sun City on Monday, 30 April
2012.
“We have decided to reach for the stars – literally and
figuratively – at MTN SAMA 18,” says CEO Randall Abrahams. “Whereas in the past
the awards only featured one or two hosts, this year we are significantly
upping the star-power quota of the hosts, presenters and performers to dazzle
the audience at the Superbowl as well as the millions of viewers glued to their
TV sets at home.”
As the presenter of magazine show All Access, actress in
programmes such as Soul City, and DJ on radio stations such as YFM and Metro FM
and, more recently, 94.7 Highveld Stereo, Pabi Moloi is a style icon who has
endeared herself to a multi-generational and multicultural audience. She is a
previous presenter of the MTN SAMAs, in 2005.
Eastern Cape lass Zonke hails from a musical family – her
father was a drummer and her late stepmother, Anneline Malebo, sang in Joy (of
Paradise Road fame). True to her roots, this talented singer-songwriter’s
styles range from Afro-soul and house to folk and R&B, and she has worked
locally and internationally with the likes of Oskido, Frank Roger, Loyiso and
Mafikizolo.
Kabelo Mabalane (aka Bouga Luv) burst on to the music scene
as a member of superstar kwaito trio Tkzee, and has since carved out a
successful solo career. He has scooped several industry awards, including MTN
SAMAs, and has opened for international superstars such as Jay-Z. Among the
recent feathers in this singer-songwriter’s cap is the SHOUT anti-crime
campaign that he co-founded with Danny K.
Sizwe Dhlomo, YFM presenter and former co-host of SABC1’s
Live, is also no stranger to the MTN SAMAs, having served as a digital
presenter at the awards two years ago. Sizwe shot to fame after winning the
first-ever MTV Base VJ hunt in 2005. He has continued to woo viewers and
listeners with his verbal agility and winning manner when interviewing stars
such as Akon and John Legend.
Catch these four celebs – as well another five sizzling
hosts, and a constellation of star performers – at the 18th Annual MTN South
African Music Awards, which will groove their way into Sun City on 29 and 30
April 2012.
The main awards ceremony, on Monday 30 April, will be
televised live on SABC1 from 8.30pm and will be streamed live via the website
(www.samusicawards.co.za), the mobisite (www.mtnsamatv.mobi) and the MTN SAMA
Facebook page (www.facebook.com/samusicawards).
Unathi, Heinz joins stellar MTN SAMA 18 host line-up
Swazi Dlamini, Jen Su, Heinz Winckler and Unathi have come
on board to host the 18th Annual MTN South African Music Awards at Sun City,
joining Kabelo, Pabi Moloi, Zonke and Sizwe to present the sought-after
trophies to SA music’s finest.
These eight celebrity hosts will be joined by one more
“mystery host”, who will be revealed on the night of the main awards ceremony,
Monday, 30 April 2012.
The event may be taking place at Sun City, but the mercury
is set to be eclipsed by the stars that will be strutting their funky stuff
down the MTN yellow carpet on the night – from the performers and nominees to
the presenters and hosts.
SAMA- and Kora-winning musician and businesswoman Swazi
Dlamini, who is married to fellow musician Tshepo Mngoma, has demonstrated her
versatility in experimenting with new sounds and different languages over the
years. As a singer she continues to dazzle across genres, from jazz and gospel
to blues and R&B.
American-born television and radio presenter Jen Su gained
prominence as a financial news anchor for Sky News via its South African
affiliate, Summit TV. This super-stylish media personality also presents The
Hollywood Report on 5FM with Gareth Cliff as well as entertainment news for
SABC3 breakfast show Expresso, and is a talented singer and musician.
Pop/rock singer Heinz Winckler won the inaugural series of
Idols in South Africa, and was placed fourth on World Idol in 2003. This SAMA
nominee has notched up gold and platinum records, with Walt Disney using one of
his songs for the movie Treasure Planet. He performed in the North American
touring production of Rent and supported Westlife on their 2005 South African
tour.
The sublime Unathi Msengana is a multi award-winning singer,
actress and radio personality who, in 2011, further endeared herself to
millions of TV viewers during her first season as a judge on M-Net’s Idols.
Unathi co-hosts a show on Metro FM with Glen Lewis, and she is married to
fellow DJ Thomas Msengana, aka Bad Boy T, with whom she has two children.
Catch all the MTN SAMA 18 excitement live on SABC1 from
8.30pm on Monday, 30 April. You can also watch the live-streaming of the
ceremony via the website (www.samusicawards.co.za), the mobisite
(www.mtnsamatv.mobi) and the MTN SAMA Facebook page (www.facebook.com/samusicawards).
Media enquiries or interview requests may be directed to Samantha Manclark / Rea Kekana / Bronwyn Coppola at Speakers Corner: phone (011) 327 1540 or email sam@speakerscorner.co.za / bronwyn@speakerscorner.co.za / rea@speakerscorner.co.za
Media Release Issued By Speakers Corner|Approved Editor / leave your comments for me below the comment box or send them via email to editor@goxtranews.com.
©The views expressed above DO NOT in any way represent GoXtra News, but that of the concerned writer. For publication errors email: publisher@goxtranews.com/ for editorial editor@goxtranews.com. Follow us on twitter here for more information send your email to info@goxtranews.com.
