The 2024 Entertainers of the Year Awards nominees were unveiled on Monday in Blantyre ahead of the grand finale next month in Lilongwe.
The grand finale of the annual awards led by Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) will be held on December 14 2024 at Bingu International Convention Centre.
The nominees have however received mixed reaction with some quarters feeling some names did not merit the spot whereas others deserved nomination.
Having not made the mark in the Maso Awards nomination list released recently, Fadah Moti of the ‘Kutali’ fame and Jetu have received nominations in Secular Artist of the Year Award (Male) and Secular Artist of the Year (Female) respectively.
The Secular Artist of the Year Award (Male) will see a battle of Fadah Moti, Eli Njuchi and Driemo whereas the Secular Artist of the Year (female) has Jetu, Emmie Deebo and Temwah.
In the category of Secular Song of the Year, the nominees are Onesimus’ ‘Controller,’ which is up against ‘Tempolale’ by Eli Njuchi and Fadah Moti’s ‘Kutali.’
Fadah Moti has also been nominated in the category of Up- and- Coming Artist of the Year which also has Sife Mw and Emmie Deebo.
In the category of Gospel Artist of the Year (Male), the nominees are Times Group presenter Steve Wazisomo Muliya, who is seeking to defend the accolade.
He is up against Alex Nkalo and Kelvin Sings. The nominees for Gospel Artist of the Year are Miracle Chinga, Theresa Phondo and Peace Phiri.
Entertainers of the Year Awards Chairperson Chisomo Mwamadi said yesterday during the unveiling of the nominees that they were pleased to have the nominees ahead of the grand finale. On outcries made by some quarters, Mwamadi said they have no control on the selection.
“These are choice awards or popular awards where we give a chance to people to choose and this is the list that Malawians have chosen,” he said.
He maintained that all the processes were transparent and encouraged Malawians to vote and choose their favourite nominees.
“We do not want to experience the same scenario where some names they wanted have missed out because people were not voting.
Let them participate and vote otherwise closing is the same day of the grand finale. People will be allowed to vote only once in each category,” Mwamadi said.
In the media category, Times Television presenter Brian Banda has made the nomination list for Best Television Personality of the Year which also has George Buliyani from Mibawa Television and Drew Jessy.
In the Television Programme of the Year, the nominees are Times Television’s It Can Be You hosted by Isaac Salima, Woman Talk and MBC Television’s Selfie Time.
The Television Drama of the Year has nominees Mdyangu (Times Television), Tonde Wadula (MBC Television) and The Club whereas the Best Television Drama Producer of the Year has nominees Moses Kachingwe, Flora Suya and Harley Sulian.
This year’s awards feature eight main categories, including music, drama, media, sport, poetry, social media and film, with a total of 50 individual awards to be given out from the subcategories.
The awards are aimed at celebrating hard work and talent of individuals in music, television, poetry, film and other entertainment fields.
