Organisers of the Malawi Achievers Awards South Africa (MAA-SA) have said that they are happy with the support they received during the event held recently hence they want it to grow.
Mbiri Events Managing Director, Samuel Mwale, said yesterday that the main objective of the Malawi Achievers Awards South Africa is to recognise and celebrate achievement and success of people in different fields including arts.
“As Malawians, we have this tendency of not celebrating achievements but we want to change all this and thus bringing in the Malawi Achievers Awards South Africa. We want to recognise and celebrate achievement and success of people in different fields in Diaspora,” said Mwale.
He said that the concept for the event has been there all along and that they have been working with different people.
“We are happy that this year this project has started off. We formed a group which has been running around to make this event successful. This was also more like a learning process and going forward we want to bring out more,” said Mwale.
Apart from celebrating success, Mwale also said that the Malawi Achievers Awards South Africa will be a platform to showcase talent.
“The event this year was hosted by Dennis Imaan and Spotless all the way from Malawi. We also had performances from among others Tay Grin, Gemini Major, Fredokiss, Janta, Nesness from Malawi and DJs Waxxy and Buffalo Souljah,” he said.
Mwale said their plan is to make the event annual and that they will be targeting July when Malawi celebrates its independence.
The red carpet event saw several sons and daughters of Malawi being decorated and they included actor Eugene Khumbanyiwa, who has made strides in the film industry and raised the country’s flag.
The South-Africa based actor was decorated for his immense contribution in entertainment.
Khumbanyiwa, who is a stage, television, film and voice actor said through the social media that he was excited with the award.
The actor is best known for playing the role of Obesandjo in the 2009 Oscar nominated sci-fi hit District 9.
He started his acting career as an extra in the 2004 Oscar nominated Hotel Rwanda starring Don Cheadle and Sophie Okonedo, playing one of the hotel staff members.
The awards also decorated another South Africa-based musician Erik Paliani. He was honoured for his immense contribution in music.
The guitarist, producer and songwriter is best known for his work with singer Zamajobe Sithole, trumpeter Hugh Masekela and guitarist Lee Ritenour.
Recently, veteran musician Wambali Mkandawire described Paliani as one of the talented musicians the country has ever produced.
Wambali however, noted that despite his rich talent, the country has not supported him fully citing his album Chitukutuku, which has mature songs but are rarely played on local radio stations.
Paliani has moved a long winding road to be where he is today and credits his strong foundation and international success to performing with Acacias Band which also produced other renowned artists like Ben Mankhamba and Chris Kele.
The other people, who were awarded during the event include former Flames midfielder, John Maduka, for his contribution in sports, Best contribution in business Wezi Chipeta, Best contribution in tourism, Salad Nthenda and Best contribution in academics Dr Mark Winter.
Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, who did not attend the event, was decorated with an award for his contribution in humanitarian aid among others, Rising star award went to Gemini Major while the Woman of substance award went to Connie Chiume.
There were also awards in human rights and social welfare which went to Ben Chiza Mkandawire and Francis Muleso respectively.
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