The Sunday News
Simba Jemwa, Sunday Life Correspondent
DJ Kiri Kiri and Khekhe Wabangane hosted Friday’s ceremony, where Pink and Purple, Freddy ‘Sozinio’ Jackson and Brayden Heart also were among the winners, while Rose GIFT Foundation co-founding director, Patience Tarumbwa revealed her life’s story and challenges she has faced.
Mercy Mabiza, Barbra Nyathi, Chrispen Nyathi were among the winners at the inaugural African Influencer Awards organised by 27-year-old media owner, Nicolette Mdluli through her Afrluent Media agency at the ceremony that was themed “Africa: Young Bold and Talented”.
Organisers said they worked closely with authorities to support community vaccination efforts and ensure adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
In her speech at the ceremony, Afrluent Media Chief Executive, Nicolette Mdluli said she was excited at the future of both the awards ceremony and the growth of young entrepreneurs in the region and pledged to organise a bigger and better event next year.
“We are very excited at the response we got from locals and we believe we can make this a bigger and better event next year. We have faith in young entrepreneurs and content producers that are coming through and we want to offer them a platform to showcase their talents,” she said in her speech.
It was also revealed by the organisers that Afrluent Media’s AFRLUENCER Magazine will now be producing a print version and the first edition will feature the Woman of the Year on the cover.
Meanwhile, the tone for the evening was set by a spectacular performance by Last Sentinels who put up an electrifying performance followed by hip-hop’s lover boy, Miyanda ‘Myan Szn” Mzemba who blew the ladies with a live band rendition of his ‘Born to love/Love on the dance floor’ which got the ladies in attendance swooning.
The Last Sentinels’ band joined Myan Szn for his set wooing the crowd with heart wrenching guitar riffs and soul provoking vocals and lyrics. There were audible gasps from the crowd as soon as Myan Szn hit the mic.
Full list of winners:
Afrluencer Woman of the Year – Mercy Mabiza (Royal Infinity Bags)
Afrluencer Man of the Year – Crispen Nyathi (Actor, Deep City)
Top Female Social Media Influencer – Bhekiwe (Singer/Songwriter)
Top Male Social Media Influencer – Bruce Ncube (@NjubeGianst)
Best audio Content – Tatenda Rungisa (Making it with Tatenda Podcast)
Best Video Content – Brayden Heart (Being Brayden)
Best Feature article Writer – Barbra Nyathi (The Bold Dialogue)
Best Online Talk Show – Pin and Purple (Onvi TV)
Excellence in the Fashion Industry (Male)– Sozino
Excellence in the Beauty Industry – Praiseworth Magrika (Praiseworth Hair)
@simbajemwa
