Latest news with #MetroFMMusicAwards
IOL News
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
eThekwini Municipality's investment in Metro FM Music Awards sparks debate
The eThekwini Municipality has announced that Durban will host the Metro FM Music Awards. Image: Willem Phungula The announcement that the eThekwini Municipality is to host the Metro FM Music Awards has drawn mixed reactions from city councillors and ratepayers. Some councillors felt the idea was not negative, as the City does need to be competitive. However, a ratepayers group said the city should not be involved in such sponsorships, suggesting that there are many businesspeople who could have been approached to fund the event. Last week, the City announced that it has committed to an agreement to be the host city of the popular Metro FM Music Awards, with an investment of R25 million over the next three financial years (2025/26, 2026/27, and 2027/28). This partnership positions Durban as a leading events destination, boosts tourism, creates jobs, and enhances the city's brand visibility, both nationally and internationally, it said. ActionSA councillor Zwakele Mncwango expressed concerns about the process followed in the approval of this deal. He stated that while the City needs to compete for events, the issue lies in how the funds are being spent. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 'We have not seen any report before council, and the fact that it is being announced before the council, which is the highest decision-making body, has a say, tells us that council is being used to rubber stamp this decision by the officials. This should have come to council first before they committed to hosting the Metro awards. The decision disregards the role of council. One wonders if the deal has been signed; that will be a concern for us as Action SA, that it is coming from which budget as we have not budgeted for the Metro,' he said. Ish Pradlah also expressed concerns, stating, 'Why does the City of eThekwini want to spend so much money on the Metro FM Awards when we have such big businessmen and companies that benefit and get awarded tenders from the City and rake in millions from the city coffers and ratepayers' money? 'They should be the ones to sponsor awards like this and make it less of a burden for the ratepayers. Rich businessmen and entrepreneurs should give back to the City of eThekwini and lessen the cost to the city.' THE MERCURY
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
M-Touch continues to celebrates triple win for ‘Kwelanga 2. 0' at Metro FM Music Awards
Born and bred in Pretoria, the young talent, real name Bulelwa Tibane is among the producers on the hit song "Kwelanga 2.0" Music producer M-Touch continues to enjoy the acclaim for his recent collaboration with Bassie and Ranger on the track 'Kwelanga 2.0.' 'Kwelanga 2.0', featuring TMan Xpress and Lee McKrazy, won three awards at the 2025 Metro FM Music Awards; Best Music Video, Best Amapiano Song, and Best Collaboration Song. Having seen the success of 'Kwelanga', M-Touch admits that he had expected to walk away with one award but three was the cherry on top. M-Touch shared with IOL Entertainment how he knew the song would be a hit as soon as Bassie was done recording. 'I couldn't stop playing it thereafter, I kinda knew it would be a hit'.
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Cloned - Durban set to host Metro FM Music Awards for the next three years
The eThekwini Municipality is anticipating hosting the Metro FM Music Awards (MMA) for the next three years with a proposed R30 million investment. Image: File THE eThekwini Municipality is setting its sights on becoming the new home of the prestigious Metro FM Music Awards (MMAs) for the next three years, with a bold R30 million investment proposal on the table. The Metro FM Music Awards, known for celebrating the best in South African urban music, have long been a staple in the local entertainment calendar. Their potential relocation to Durban signals more than just a venue change, it marks a strategic move by the city to position itself as a cultural powerhouse both regionally and internationally. The proposal, which was discussed in detail during an Executive Committee (Exco) meeting on Friday, is set to go before the full council for approval on Monday. Lihle Phewa, the head: Development Planning, Environment and Management, said the host city partnership with Metro FM will yield positive results, adding that the profile of the MMAs event is significant and historical because it is the biggest lifestyle radio station in South Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and online. This year, the highly anticipated MMAs were held at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga on May 3, and included a live concert with a star-studded line-up after the awards ceremony. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The municipality intends to invest R10 million per year, part of it for media destination, promotion, and leveraging. Phewa said the event planning, implementation, delivery of contractual obligations, and the overall management will be closely monitored by the city. She stated that the event debriefs with documented reports will be carried out post-event to determine the municipality's return on investment. According to Phewa, Durban strategically positions itself as a premium tourism and events city within the global space. Phewa said the approach in event partnership is aligned with the recently launched Durban's visitor strategy to take Durban to the world. "The key focus is to leverage events for territorial marketing and promotion, economic development, and job creation," Phewa said. Phewa said the partnership between eThekwini and the MMAs offers numerous benefits, ensuring maximum visibility, economic impact, and community development. All event and pre-event logistics, including security, catering, furniture, and restaurant services, will be managed by local suppliers, driving economic activity within the community. The municipality stated that the exposure they receive has a projected value of R60 million. Phewa added that temporary jobs will also be created, and the city was determined to bring the event back to Durban. Mdu Nkosi, IFP Exco member, said the event will also boost township tourism and even street traders in Durban. Nkosi commended the Economic cluster for negotiating to bring the event back to Durban. Nkosenhle Madlala, ANC Exco chief whip, said that previously the event attracted international visitors and celebrities to Durban, which will also benefit hoteliers. 'The vibe it created and the spin-off from other events, like after-parties, is a valuable contributor to the municipality. We lost the event to Cape Town previously, and we are happy that negotiations will get under way to bring the event back,' Madlala said. Cyril Xaba, eThekwini mayor, said Durban should be the preferred destination for entertainment and sporting events. 'In business, you must invest money to make money. The spin-off from hosting this event is huge, so we must support it. Durban should become the home of this prestigious event. We regret losing this event,' he said.
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Durban set to host Metro FM Music Awards for the next three years
The eThekwini Municipality is anticipating hosting the Metro FM Music Awards (MMA) for the next three years with a proposed R30 million investment. Image: File The eThekwini Municipality is anticipating hosting the Metro FM Music Awards (MMAs) for the next three years with a proposed R30 million investment. The highly anticipated MMAs were held at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga on May 3, 2025, and included a live concert with a star-studded line-up after the awards ceremony. The municipality discussed hosting the MMAs at length during an Executive Committee (Exco) meeting on Friday and will seek final approval at the council meeting that will be held on Monday. Lihle Phewa, the head: Development Planning, Environment and Management, said the host city partnership with Metro FM will yield positive results, adding that the profile of the MMAs event is significant and historical because it is the biggest lifestyle radio station in South Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and online. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The municipality intends to invest R10 million per year, part of it for media destination, promotion, and leveraging. Phewa said the event planning, implementation, delivery of contractual obligations, and the overall management will be closely monitored by the city. She stated that the event debriefs with documented reports will be carried out post-event to determine the municipality's return on investment. According to Phewa, Durban strategically positions itself as a premium tourism and events city within the global space. Phewa said the approach in event partnership is aligned with the recently launched Durban's visitor strategy to take Durban to the world. "The key focus is to leverage events for territorial marketing and promotion, economic development, and job creation," Phewa said. Phewa said the partnership between eThekwini and the MMAs offers numerous benefits, ensuring maximum visibility, economic impact, and community development. All event and pre-event logistics, including security, catering, furniture, and restaurant services, will be managed by local suppliers, driving economic activity within the community. The municipality stated that the exposure they receive has a projected value of R60 million. Phewa added that temporary jobs will also be created, and the city was determined to bring the event back to Durban. Mdu Nkosi, IFP Exco member, said the event will also boost township tourism and even street traders in Durban. Nkosi commended the Economic cluster for negotiating to bring the event back to Durban. Nkosenhle Madlala, ANC Exco chief whip, said that previously the event attracted international visitors and celebrities to Durban, which will also benefit hoteliers. 'The vibe it created and the spin-off from other events, like after-parties, is a valuable contributor to the municipality. We lost the event to Cape Town previously, and we are happy that negotiations will get under way to bring the event back,' Madlala said. Cyril Xaba, eThekwini mayor, said Durban should be the preferred destination for entertainment and sporting events. 'In business, you must invest money to make money. The spin-off from hosting this event is huge, so we must support it. Durban should become the home of this prestigious event. We regret losing this event,' he said.
The Citizen
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
VIDEO: Musician and actor Sjava on the accuracy of ‘Shaka ilembe'
'Honestly speaking, people will always have complaints because everyone has opinions about how the story should have been told.' Season 2 of the hit series Shaka ilembe is set to premiere on Sunday, 15 June, at 8pm on Mzansi Magic. We had an opportunity to chat to musician and actor Jabulani Hadebe, also known as Sjava, who played a role in season one of the show as King Dingiswayo. King Dingiswayo is an important historical figure who was the leader of the Mthethwa Paramountcy and played a crucial role in the early life of Shaka Zulu. 'People don't understand that just because we played roles on 'Shaka' means we know everything about his story,' said Sjava. 'Honestly speaking, people will always have complaints because everyone has opinions about how the story should have been told. 'That's why so many shows based on his story exist. You can even make your own if you want, depending on how you think the story went,' Sjava said. ALSO READ: VIDEO: Celebrities share thoughts on what made the Metro FM Music Awards stand out
