TV actress to host music awards ceremony
POPULAR television soapie actress, Lusanda Mbane, aka Boniswa, who stars in e-tv’s Scandal is coming to East London next month to host the second leg of the Eastern Cape Music Awards.
Co-hosting the awards alongside Mbane will be Mdantsane-born Luyanda Potwana, who is the presenter of the TV show Nyan’Nyan.
ECMAS founder and organiser, Koko Godlo, said inviting the celebrity hosts showed his commitment to offer a bigger and better event and to establish it as a popular date on the province’s entertainment calendar.
The event is aimed at celebrating the musical talent of stars born and bred in the Eastern Cape.
Last year the inaugural event experienced some glitches , such as poor stage lighting and sound.
There were also complaints about the venue at the Wilsonia Methodist Church.
“The biggest setback last year was the venue.
“People said it was too far to access using public transport, so we’ve chosen the multi-purpose 4 000-seater Christian Centre in Abbotsford,” said Godlo.
He said they had also hired a better sound and lighting system, and would be holding rehearsals a day before the awards.
The organisers have also reduced the number of categories.
“We had to reduce the number because we plan on compensating winners and also, after some research, we realised that some categories were redundant,” Godlo said.
The new categories are Song of the Year, Best Community Radio Programme and Best Community Radio DJ.
The most contested award this year would be the Song of the Year award, said Godlo.
This category will be contested by the likes of Mobi Dixon, Nathi Mankayi, Emtee, Ifani, Zahara, Berita, Bethusile Mcinga, Yves, Ntando, Blood Vessels, Spinaro and gospel couple Butho and Yolanda Vuthela.
Voting lines are now open and to vote for your favourite artist, simply send an SMS as follows: ECMAS, name of category, name of artist – to 33459.
The ECMAS will take place on October 29, at 7pm, at the Abbotsford Christian Centre, in East London.
Tickets are R200, available at Computicket. —