Tyla and Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa at OR Tambo Airport. picture:@zizikodwa
Recent Grammy award winner Tyla received a warm welcome from Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa and a handful of screaming fans at the OR Tambo Airport on Saturday afternoon.
On Thursday the minister’s spokesperson Litha Mpondwana confirmed to The Citizen that the 22 year-old Water singer would attend Saturday evening’s South African Cultural and Creative Industry Awards (CCIA) at the Luthuli Museum in KwaDukuza.
“On the day of the inaugural Cultural and Creative Awards, we welcome home Tyla, who has the country so proud with her trailblazing success. I’m so pleased to have met Tyla’s parents,” said Kodwa in a post on his X account.
The awards are an initiative of the ministry with the aim of recognizing contributors in the creative and cultural space. Tyla is nominated in the Best Newcomer Award category.
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The awards’ review committee is made up of Professor Pitika Ntuli, Mpho Molepo, Dr Thebe Ikalafeng and Desire Markgraaf, were tasked with sifting through close to 1000 names for the selection.
Some of the categories include Best Online Content Creator and Nominees for Outstanding Fiction Book. But there hasn’t been much hype around the awards, possibly owing to the fact that they take place during a clustered Easter Weekend.
“With the vision of holding these annually, the Department has identified March as a relevant time to hold the awards. There is support for the awards from the sectors,” averred Kodwa’s spokesperson.
While Tyla is in Mzansi, her fans will have an opportunity to see her in person when she hosts a meet and greet at the Mall of Africa on Tuesday.
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It has been a good time for Tyla, whose full name is Tyla Laura Seethal. Just a few days ago she was announced as the leading nominee at the upcoming Metro Awards with six nods and started the year by winning the prestigious Grammy.
But on Saturday the South African lass shared in her Instagram story, a lovely note from Beyoncé accompanied by flowers.
“Congrats on your beautiful new album, keep killing it,” averred the Beyoncé. The South African released her self-titled debut album mid-March, which has been received well.
Beyoncé just dropped an album herself on Good Friday.
The 27-track album, Cowboy Carter sees the former Destiny’s Child lead singer give her interpretation of Country music.
“I think people are going to be surprised because I don’t think this music is what everyone expects,” Beyoncé said in a statement on Friday.
Guest appearances on the album include Willie Nelson, Mylie Cyrus and Dolly Parton; whose 1973 hit Jolene is one of two covers featured.
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