By ANANIUS NDLOVU
18 December 2024- Greetings, my friends – welcome to my weekly column. They call me Mananigo, and this week I want to take you on a reflective journey through the North West Media Awards 2024. A journey of determination, frustration, and ultimately, triumph.
Organizing an event of this magnitude is no easy task, especially with no budget to rely on. It takes resilience, sacrifice, and teamwork to pull it off. The Awards Team, I must say, deserves the highest praise. Wow! This group of incredible individuals gave their all, overcoming every obstacle to ensure the event became a reality. It takes a full year of planning, but one thing is certain – we never postpone or cancel. No matter how tough it gets, the show will go on.
Like the powerful lyrics of Labi Siffre’s Something Inside So Strong remind us:
“The higher you build your barriers, the taller I become.
The farther you take my rights away, the faster I will run.
The more you refuse to hear my voice, the louder I will sing.”
And so, we sang louder. We pushed harder. We knew we could make it – and we did! But none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our partners, stakeholders, and the community.
A heartfelt thank you to Gaisang Mogale from Orion Safari Hotel. You worked tirelessly to host us, but unfortunately, circumstances beyond our control intervened. Hard luck, my brother – we gave it our best shot.
To the Rustenburg Local Municipality, your support came at a critical moment. Your sponsorship and presence at the event, including the attendance of Executive Mayor Mme Shiela Mabale-Huma, were nothing short of remarkable.
When we thought all hope was lost, a call from Deputy Minister Kenny Morolong reassured us that brighter days were ahead. His words, “Don’t stress; it will pass. We’ll support you,” kept us going. Truly, Modimo ga se setlaela (God is never wrong).
A special mention goes to the Office of the Premier, whose support enabled 10 radio stations from across the province to broadcast the awards live. To Golden Cat Holdings, thank you for ensuring everyone’s safety with your security measures.
Let’s not forget the outstanding contributions of Michelle by Kay N, who delivered top-notch VIP treatment, and Raps Photos and Projects, whose stunning photographs now grace social media. Rustenburg Fashion Week, your models added style and grace to our evening.
To Amogelang Publishing, Cell C, Platinum North West TV, Berlina Lekgethwane Foundation, and KayGee2 Zee Tours, your efforts made this event possible. I can’t forget our incredible hosts: Sydney Letsapa, Jones Blaq Gzus Modibane, and Berlina Lekgethwane (we wish Mr. Lekgethwane a speedy recovery).
A special shout-out to my wife and her team for putting together exceptional catering under immense pressure. To Nyakallo, Tatender, Bonolo, Philadelphia, and Lebo, your hard work shone brightly.
To the judges – Shirley Montsho, Oupa Segalwe, Lucky Mediwane, Liza Jay, Annamarie Max, and Cornelius Monama – thank you for your dedication. You made the tough decisions with integrity.
To all the nominees and winners, congratulations! Out of 207 nominees, 21 winners emerged. Social media buzzed with your stories, and you all deserve every bit of recognition. To Mme Minah Pilane Huma and Dulile Sowaga – Lifetime Achievement Awards recipients – you deserve this. Mr Tebogo Matima thanks for the Modisane Modise tribute. Let’s continue to honour the best in the North West Media space.
Lastly, to my kids Vusi and Junior, along with their cousins Temba, Dimpho Refiloe and their friends, thank you for stepping up and lending a hand.
Apologies for the last-minute venue change and the slight delay in starting, but I hope you’ll agree – it was a night to remember.
(Note: Mr Ananius Ndlovu is a founder and publisher of Naledi News, seasoned journalist and organiser of the North West Media Awards. The content remains Mr Ndlovu’s views and Taung DailyNews nor its associate do not agree or disagree with it)
The Guardian 