Menzi Ngubane, Sophie Ndaba, Zolisa Xaluva, Thami Mgqolo, Rapulana Seiphemo and Tsholo Monedi amongst others
The logistics behind the staging of the biggest music event of the year, the 19th Annual MTN South African Music Awards (MTN SAMA 19) at Sun City on the 10th & 11th May are staggering:
An estimated 5070 guests will walk the 25m Y’ello Carpet under the glare of over 50 flashing paparazzi photographers and a dozen TV cameras to watch the 2 hour spectacular featuring over 120 indivdual performers.
The MTN SAMA 19 stage will be a sight to behold; extensive research was done on what has never been done before for an awards stage worldwide and the final design and show has thrown up some incredible numbers; 790 m² floor area, 80 individual screens, over 100 moving lights and an estimated 10km of cable forms part of this incredible technological marvel.
The 200-strong production crew will spend 14 days rigging and setting up the stage for the 12 cameras to capture the action live.
There will also be a flurry of activity backstage as 6 make-up artists together with 6 hair dressers including Mizani work furiously in making sure that our 16 guest presenters and performers look the part; some of whom will be dressed by some of the biggest names in the fashion industry, including Gert-Johan Coetzee, David Tlale, Tsotetsi K.L, Suzaan Heyns and Tzvi Karp.
With millions of viewers expected to tune in to SABC 1 to watch it live and 100 000 people to watch it online streaming live, the SAMAs attract some of the biggest audiences for a live event.
It is estimated that Tweets in the hundreds of thousands will be sent over the weekend, with the awards likely to trend both Friday and Saturday nights.
“Vertical Limit Productions looks forward to producing the Annual MTN South African Music Awards. We are especially looking forward to the tribute to the Lifetime Achievement recipients that we have put together for the Friday Night Awards and the performers collaborations and creative for the Saturday Night live show” added Delmarie Seaward of Vertical Limit Productions.
And just one more to take it all down and pack it up; that leaves 364 days until MTN SAMA 20.
“MTN is pleased to see this group of South Africa’s most talented entertainers forming part of a production that promises be an exceptional music weekend. We are certain that the star-studded line up will make this year’s MTN SAMA’s the best and most memorable yet.” said Serame Taukobong, Chief Marketing Officer at MTN SA