DELMAS – Twenty-eight-year-old Delmas poet and musician Innocent Mngomezulu is thrilled about his first-ever nomination. Mngomezulu is nominated for the 5th annual Mzansi Arts and Media Awards (MAMA), which will be held on September 21 2024 at the Victory Theatre in Johannesburg. Mngomezulu is competing in the “Best Hustler of The Year” category.
His song Imali, released in May this year, has garnered over 60,000 streams and earned him the nomination. Mngomezulu also revealed that he is currently working on his debut album, Verse M3, set to be released on September 28, a week after the awards.
“Music has always been a part of me since a young age; it actually runs in the family. However, I decided to start my career as a professional registered songwriter, entertainer, and performing artist about a year ago. Since then, my career has gained significant traction. But it wouldn’t be so without the support of the team behind me, Khukza Photography,” said Mngomezulu.
He added that winning the award would not only put him on the map but also shine a spotlight on his town. “Our town, Delmas, has often been considered small and underrated, but we have incredible talent, especially in the arts. The MAMA Awards are a perfect platform for us to start from. This award is not just for me but for everyone behind the brand Inno The Poet who work hard every day to make this a success.”
Khukza Photography, LM Studios, and Detour Public Relations and Marketing are key partners in the Inno The Poet brand. Mngomezulu highlighted that his brand represents Delmas as a whole and aims to showcase local talent. “We need the community to join hands and support us. That’s why people should vote for me,” he said.
The Mzansi Arts and Media Awards (MAMA) is an annual ceremony celebrating and recognising outstanding talent in the South African arts and media industry. Voting is done by SMSing the keywords Inno Pastor Mngomezulu to 40439. Each SMS costs R2, and voting closes on August 16, 2024.
