Mpumi Mlambo shows love to Somizi for holding her hand at Metro FM Awards

A coincidental meeting with South African media personality, Somizi Mhlongo, eight days before the Metro FM Music Awards at Zamaswazi Inventive Fashion studios, the designer who made outfits for the co-hosts, was Radio host Mpumi Mlambo’s saving grace as the broadcaster was a tad bit nervous about covering a big event such as the Metro FM Music Awards.

“Yea, I was nervous because I’ve never done this before,” Mlambo tells The Citizen.

“When we met there he [Somizi] asked me if I’ve done this before and I told him I haven’t and he said I should relax,” shares Mlambo.

But when the cameras started rolling and the show began, Mlambo says all her fears had been allayed.

“I was good throughout the show. He had made the space comfortable for me,” says the damsel from Orange Farm, in the Vaal.

The Citizen unsuccessfully tried to get a hold of Mhlongo but the choreographer responded to Mlambo’s appreciation in a post writing “Ur literally a younger female version of me. Funny. Talented. Witty. Smart. Dom kop. Silly. Kind. Uyahlupha tjo. Focused. Etc”.

ALSO READ: Katlego Maboe joins Lerato Kganyago to host Metro FM Music Awards

Experience gained

Mhlongo and Mlambo hosted the ‘Black Curtain’ where they interviewed all the winners immediately after receiving their award on stage and were the hosts who engaged with the millions of viewers watching on SABC 1.

Mlambo has done some work on TV, including being part of the SABC 1 legal drama series Sokhulu and Partners and also hosting the Lockdown House Party during the height of Covid-19. Despite this not being her first TV work, she says she did learn a thing or two from covering the event.

“The experience taught me the importance of being prepared. As a radio host, you’re used to a live show,” says Mlambo.

“But with the awards, it’s not your show; it’s the people’s show. You must be easy to work with.”

Who is Mpumi Mlambo?

Mlambo joined Metro FM last year, and has been at the station for just over a year now. Her weekday show, Hustler Fix with Mpumi airs in the wee hours, from 3-5 am while she also has a Saturday show in the afternoon, The Encore.

Msakazi as she’s popularly known got into radio through campus radio at Wits University’s Voice of Wits radio. She then spent seven years at PowerFM, producing some of the daytime shows while also holding down her own weekend slot.

She will be hosting SABC 2’s wedding show Married Our Way and says some acting gigs could be on the horizon too.

NOW READ: Metro FM Music Awards – here’s everything you need to know