Malawi: Radio station rekindles annual awards

MBC, which started running the programme dubbed, "MBC Entertainers of the Year Awards" in the early 1970s, handed over the responsibility to a private company which changed it to "Luso [a Chichewa language word for talent] Awards," in 1994.

This was after a large section of the Malawi society complained that it lacked credibility since all the winners were emerging from the institution and that there was no independent auditing firms to vet their declarations.

Chairperson of the organising committee of this year's event, Geoffrey Kazembe has said the event will still be an internal occasion as they are running away from unnecessary conflicts and controversies.

“The programme is reverting to its original set-up like it was three years ago before it was given to the public,” said Kazembe, “We have decided to [bring] back the programme because of public pressure...[as] three years passed without giving out any awards.”

Kazembe said they would not want to include their direct competitors and therefore the awards, especially in its radio category will be for MBC presenters, announcers, producers and journalists alone and no other radio.

He however, said other categories like this year's awards for the best footballer, netballer, musician and others will remain as they were.

Other awards include the best newspaper cartoonist and cartoon strip of the year, the best print journalists and the best entertainers awards, where the highest prize is given to an individual or institution that amasses the most votes.

People are encouraged to vote through letters or emails that are sent to the organisers who, among them, are judges that have a final say.

The main event will take place on the last Saturday of the year and is expected to happen in Blantyre.