The inaugural KZN Entertainment Awards (KZNEA) broke the 11 pm curfew just a day after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the tightening of lockdown restrictions on gatherings and alcohol sales.
Hosted by Somizi Mhlongo and Pearl Thusi, the ceremony was an in-door affair at the Durban ICC on Tuesday night, but instead of ending at 10 pm so that staff and patrons can go home before the enforcement of the curfew, it went on until just after 11 pm.
The show started at 8 pm with performances by Babes Wodumo, Sjava, Khuzani, and Zandile Khumalo.
“Following Cyril’s announcement the other day, we had to readjust to new regulations. We tried, by all means, possible to cover the 10 pm [curfew] but failed. We respect the government and the president,” said Xolani Majozi, chairman of KZNEA.
Organizers maintained most of the Covid-19 regulations. On the red carpet A-listers including Robert Marawa, Dawn Thandeka King, SK Khoza, Thuli Phongolo, Ntando Duma, Nomcebo Zikode and Ntobeko Sishi walked one person at a time.
The seating arrangement inside saw guests positioned at a 1.5m distance with their masks on the entire time.
The awards had plenty of drama. Three categories – best male TV presenter won by Marawa, best female TV presenter won by Thusi and best maskadi scooped by Khuzani – were not handed out during the show.
“Due to time [constrains] we were trying, by all means, to speed everything up, and not announcing them was an error we then rectified at the end, fortunately, the recipients were all still there,” Majozi said.
The special achievement category honoured four recipients – Black Coffee, DJ Tira, Mbongeni Ngema and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Ngema was not presented with his award during the show, while the other three received a special segment. Tira accepted his award in person, while Majozi accepted it on behalf of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Black Coffee’s son Esona collected the award on behalf of his father.
“Mbongeni Ngema will receive his award. On the night there was no one to receive on his behalf and we decided to continue so as to save time,” Majozi said.
Big winners of the night included Zikode, King, Sjava, Khoza, Khuzani, and Sithelo the DJ.
Winners pocketed R100,000 in each category, with Khuzani winning the coveted most-love category that saw him take home R500,000. Khuzani also took home R100,000 for scooping best maskandi.
“I feel very honoured to be part of such an award ceremony considering that it’s the first of its kind. Being nominated in two categories on its own was enough of an achievement for me, seeing that I’m literally the youngest and least experienced in the Best Club Female DJ category,” Sithelo said.
“Having to scoop both the awards for me was amazing. It feels good to be recognized by such a prestige platform and by your own people for the hard work we put in.”
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