MIDDELBURG – The first ever Middelburg Entertainment Awards (MEA) aim to recognise and honour local talent in art and entertainment industry.
The awards founded by Andries Sibanyoni, also founder of Little Miss Mhluzi and Miss Steve Tshwete, will be held in April next year.
“The awards are to honour the local artists but not only local artists but also small businesses because it’s not only the artists that are in the entertainment industry,” Sibanyoni said at a meet-and-greet event held on Saturday, August 17 2024.
Sibanyoni also explained that the meet-and-greet event served as a precursor to the anticipated MEA.
“As a local that came up with the concept of the Middelburg Entertainment Awards is to thank to all the artists and people in the entertainment industry we have here in Middelburg.”
He further said that the awards nominations are scheduled to start in December this year.
“The final awards will takee place in 2025 around Easter. The specific date for the awards will be announced towards the end of this year,” he said.
Nominations will be collected via an SMS line at a cost of R3, making it accessible for the community to participate.
The meet-and-greet featured notable attendees such as Little Miss MWI Africa Angelina Mndebele, local DJ Lady B Nkambule, MC Given Sgeji and the Miss Steve Tshwete Finalists who are the nominees for the upcoming awards.
The event was designed to inform the community about the MEA and offer a glimpse into what to expect.
Sibanyoni’s initiative is to shine a spotlight not just on local artists but also on small businesses contributing to the entertainment sector.
During the meet-and-greet, miniature awards were presented to the nominated contestants as tokens of appreciation. “This meet and greet is a token of my appreciation and to thank you for participating.”
Sibanyoni further his thought on the perception of Middelburg residents about people in the entertainment industry. “You’ll find people want others to work in mines because Middelburg is predominantly mines and when you mention that you work elsewhere besides a mine you might feel like you don’t work of which you can sustain and build your career in art,” Sibanyoni explained.
He added that the awards will have many categories such as the best local DJ, best MC, modelling, caterers and so forth. “So, the community can nominate anyone they feel is eligible for that category,” he concluded.
