Saturday night the best of South African Entertainment industry gathered at the Sandton International Convention Centre for a brand new award Ceremony the DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards.

The new high-octane concept adds to the many glamorous events that South Africa hosts every single year.

As one of the invited journalists at the ceremony here are my Five takeaways

5 Things We Learnt from the Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards

1. South African have really understood what it means to support local

The inaugural DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards had over 1 million votes cast for 50 nominees in 10 categories and it made SA ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY

The support the locals give to their own has contributed immensely to the growth of the Showbiz industry in South Africa. 

2. Do it right the first time

To think that this was a new concept that was just being introduced is just mind blowing. The Showbiz industry can be very cruel and impatient so to be on the safe side of black twitter do it right the first time.

The event was flawless, everything started on time from the VIP welcome cocktail, the red carpet and the main event, there was not even a single technical glitch.

Unfortunately not the same can be said of our premier awards ceremonies in Zimbabwe.

3. Bonang is probably the biggest Celebrity in Mzansi right now

As soon as Queen B stepped on the red carpet there was a media furore as every journalist with a camera and microphone pointed it in her direction. We were in the presence of royalty.

Bonang Matheba who was the host of the night was Styled by her New York-based stylist Harrison T. Crite who flew specifically for the Awards.

She dripped herself into glorious designs such John Paul Atakar, Michael Costello, Valdrin Sahiti and Zeina Nabulsi.

4.This Land South Africa is a Love letter

South African provides the rest of Africa with a template on how to make people fall in love with the Entertainment industry.

The way they package and sell the dream one can not help but yearn for the ‘Mzansi Dream’. They have successfully turned young people’s hobbies into million rand careers.

5. We learnt that we still don’t want to learn.

If you talk of awards in Zimbabwe you know that we are talking about just another hang out to dress up and take pictures for Instagram.

Our Awards ceremonies, music shows, beauty pageants etc lack the entertainment value that one can sell.

Our Celebrities and media are taken for granted and not proper value is attached to their work.

One can learn a lot from South African events but still, we don’t….