Mzansi’s A-listers come out to play
NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR THIS YEAR’S MAMAS
MZANSI A-listers came out in big numbers at the 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards (Mamas) nominations announcement on Wednesday night at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg. Fiery-haired actress Natasha Thahane stunned in a white Scalo jump-suit on the star-studded red carpet. The Queen starlet asked for prayers for her grandfather Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who has been in and out of hospital recently after undergoing a surgical procedure. “We are asking for prayers as a family. Surgery went well, but he’s in and out of hospital. He is quite old now, but he will be fine,” Thahane told Sowetan on the red carpet.
Host of the night Nomzamo Mbatha turned up the heat in a printed cleavage-revealing Rich Factory dress, with a sexy thigh-high slit.
Isibaya actress Jessica Nkosi opted for a ladylike silhouette in a strapless NN Vintage cocktail dress. The first half of the nominations was announced on the night, with the rest of the nominations set to be revealed on October 2 in Lagos, Nigeria.
Olympian Caster Semenya got a nod for personality of the year. She will go up against Linda Ikeji, Pearl Thusi, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Wizkid.
In the coveted best hip-hop act category, Emtee, Ycee, Riky Rick, Kiff No Beat and Olamide all made the cut.
Mafikizolo, Mi Casa, Black Coffee and AKA also received nominations in their respective categories.
After his nomination Riky Rick said: “2016 has been a good business year, I think this year I have focused more on my businesses and it has been developments in those areas more than anything else. It has been great that I have been able to stay relevant with my music too. “I have one more record this year titled Stay Shining and then we wrap it up. A highlight for me every day is my children, spending time with them.” The awards will be hosted by US-based The Daily Show host Trevor Noah, who will be in town, at the Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg on October 22.