Sho Madjozi returned to South Africa on Monday Afternoon where she was greeted with a welcome fit for a queen after her exploits in Los Angeles last month.
Sho Madjozi, whose real name is Maya Wegerif, walked away with the highly coveted "Best New International Act" award at the 2019 BET Awards which took place in Los Angeles on the 23rd of June. This was both her first ever nomination at the awards show and her first victory and her achievement brought great pride to the people of South Africa and more specifically, those from her home-province of Limpopo.
The rapper and singer has made a point of proudly performing in her home language, Xi-Tsonga over the span of her career while incorporating the language and culture into everything about her image. Her victory was seen as a big win for proponents of authenticism in African culture and she herself hoped she could use it as encouragement for other black girls in South Africa to do the same.
On Monday, she landed in South Africa for the first time since her big win and she was greeted by a massive crowd filled with her most loved followers/fans, as well as a number of key personalities in the media and arts and culture who made their way to OR Tambo International Airport to give her a heroine's welcome.
Along with the biggest movers and shakers at Viacom International Media Networks Africa, Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa was in attendance on the day and he was glowing in his praise of Maya's victory when he said:
"We are incredibly proud of Sho Madjozi as with last year's winner Sjava because in their authenticity and artistic expression centred in their indigenous languages, pride in culture and heritage- are succeeding in attaining glory on global stages and placing SA on the map."
Sho Madjozi took centre stage when she was hosted for a press conference at Johannesburg's international airport which was filled to the brim as many of her adoring fans came out to surprise their . She dedicated her recent victory to them and praised the country for supporting her throughout her journey so far when she said at her press conference:
"This win is huge; and like I said in my speech you can really be from anywhere and be able to get anywhere. You also don't need to change yourself for that to happen. What has been a highlight for me at the awards meeting people and getting pictures with a lot of dope people. Cardi B congratulated me and I thought that was really sweet. People in general where quite excited for me and everyone could see that it was an emotional moment for me. I was actually shocked and completely taken by surprise when my name was called."
Have a look at some of the best pictures from her press conference at OR Tambo International yesterday.
