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SWAMA’S VOTING CLOSES TOMORROW

23/11/2020 02:02:00 BY THEMBELANI NHLABATSI

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MBABANE – The MTN SWAMA awards have reached an all-time high this week as they have recorded over 39 000 votes since voting commenced two weeks ago.

This was revealed by the Eswatini Music and Arts Association Public Relations Officer, Bongani ‘Tizalami’ Dube, in a telephonic conversation with the Entertainment Desk.

Dube said this was record-breaking ever since the awards came into existence.

He also stated that the ‘Best Newcomer category received the most votes with over 8 000 within the voting period, while the ‘Best Dance’ and ‘Online Poetry’ categories received fewer votes amounting to less than 3 000.

Dube also made mention that the voting period for the awards would close tomorrow at midnight and he encouraged supporters of musicians to vote for their favourites through the USSD codes provided.

In what marks the beginning of an exciting season in the entertainment and arts calendar in Eswatini, SWAMA and MTN Eswatini, who is the title sponsor for the awards, announced that this year’s awards would take place virtually in a theme titled ‘Asibe Digital’.

artists

“The emergence of an unforeseen pandemic has compelled awards shows globally to go virtual so as to protect artists and audiences from any possible contraction of the virus COVID-19. Likewise, we are excited to reveal a digital season of the fourth edition of the annual MTN SWAMA Awards,” said Dube.

In the midst of distress and low morale in the arts sector due to the partial lockdown, Dube narrated that there couldn’t be any better news for artists, who had been producing material from May 2019 to date, as exceptional work deserved to be recognised and rewarded.With this year’s awards happening digitally, Dube highlighted that fans would have a bigger say in the outcome of the awards.

chance

“The more the fans vote, the more their favourite artists will stand a chance of winning the award in each category,” he added.

He added that the USSD code for voting was *7768*2# and they can choose their desired category alongside the artist’s number.

“There are 19 public voted categories this year. To make voting less cumbersome this year, a voting feature was made possible for both the USSD and the website platforms. With each vote costing E1, the USSD platform uses airtime, while the website uses Mobile Money, and both are exclusively available on the MTN Eswatini network,” remarked Dube.

Speaking to Chief Umtukulu, who has been nominated under the ‘Best Newcomer’ category, he said he was looking forward to the awards and the outcome.

lockdown

“Our supporters have shown us so much love through the lockdown period and we hope that they will come through even through voting,” he said.

Meanwhile Judah Silitshena, who has been nominated for ‘Best Online Presentation’, ‘Music Video of The Year as well as ‘Song of The Year’ said he was excited to be nominated in all the categories and urged his supporters to vote for him.

The winners will be announced at the digital main event scheduled for December 5, 2020.

“This year’s awards season is completely digital, with the Digital Launch that kick-started the season on October 10, 2020; followed by the Digital Nominees Unveiling Party on October 31, 2020.

The Digital Main Event is scheduled for December 5, 2020 at 8pm on Eswatini TV as well as MTN Eswatini Facebook page and the SWAMA YouTube channel,” concluded Dube.