Celebrating SA’s best celebrities

In the category “Trendsetting Celebrity of the Year,” Mafikizolo (who have scooped almost every award they’ve been nominated for recently) are up against the usual “it girls” Bonang Matheba and Minnie Dlamini. Rappers KO (Ntokozo Mdluli), Kid X and Mi Casa’s J Something are also nominated in the same category – which is refreshing.

Winners are determined by public vote, though, so Mafikizolo, Matheba or Dlamini remain the favourites.

Mafikizolo deserves every accolade they’ve received this year, but it’s time other musicians were recognised. KO’s contribution to iskhanda (a musical subgenre that infuses pantsula with hip-hop) has had a big impact on South African hip-hop.

Instead of mimicking American rappers (as most South African rappers do) KO has succeeded in making authentic local hip-hop, which has received just as much attention as House music – South Africa’s most mainstream music genre.

Television presenter and entrepreneur DJ Sbu (Sibusiso Leope) is up against Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Thuli Madonsela, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Leslie Sedibe, Johnny Clegg and Professor Jonathan Jansen for the evening’s biggest award – South African of the Year. With so many deserving people in this category, the showbiz candidates may struggle to make an impact.

DJ Sbu is inspirational, but he simply cannot compete with the people in this category. And Sedibe’s messy divorce from former Generations actress Sonia Sedibe had the businessman in the news for all the wrong reasons.

Trendsetting Celebrity of the Year Nominations

1. Bonang Matheba
2. DJ Clock
3. J’ Something
4. Kid X
5. KO from Teargas
6. Mafikizolo
7. Minenhle Dlamini

Campaign of the Year Nominations

1. 67 Blankets Nelson Mandela
2. KFC- Add Hope
3. Kelloggs #breakfastforbetterdays
4. Knorr- Masters of Time
5. Mxit Music
6. Share a Coke Campaign
7. Tiles 4 Change (Anti-Drug Campaign)

Sportsperson of the Year Nominations

1. Chad le Clos                    (Swimming)
2. Hashim Amla                 (Cricket)
3. Itumeleng Khune           (Soccer)
4. Johan Cronje                  (Track and Field Athlete)
5. Lucas Sithole                  (Tennis)
6. Marsha Cox                    (Hockey)
7. Simon Maghakwe         (100m Sprinter)

Businessperson of the Year Nominations

1. Basetsana Kumalo
2. Daphne Mashile Nkosi
3. Nicky Newton King
4. Patrice Motsepe
5. Reuel Khoza
6. Santie Botha
7. Stephen Saad

Spirit of Humanity Nominations 

1. Beka Ntsanwisi
2. Dr Imtiaz Sooliman
3. John Perlman
4. Justin Foxton
5. Lesley Osler
6. Rev. Eunice Marubelela
7. Sbu Buthelezi

Young South African of the Year Nominations 

1. Afeefah Patel
2. Ethel Phiri
3. Kyle Shepherd
4. Nkululeko Mboniswa
5. Samantha Baynon
6. Sandile Kubeka
7. Simphiwe Mashexa

South African of the Year

1. Archbishop Desmond Tutu
2. DJ Sbu
3. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma
4. Johnny Clegg
5. Jonathan Jansen
6. Leslie Sedibe
7. Thuli Madonsela