The 6th Annual South African Hip Hop Awards took place last night and have been trending ever since so you can be forgiven for missing the first ever #BlackTwitterAwards2017 hosted by Siphiwo ‘Spitch’ Nzawumbi and TV queen, Portia Gumede.
Perhaps the pre-awards PR tender drama explains why many were late to the party
I want a commission of enquiry on the tender process for the PR on the #BlackTwitterAwards2017!!!
— marang setshwaelo (@marangdream) December 13, 2017
The winning bidder did an AWFUL job, awareness is NOT what it should be, and some of us never even got a chance to pitch!!😡 pic.twitter.com/C8c5vxn9GJ
DaFUQ?!?!?! Kanjani! You people are making a joke of my profession, yazi!!! 😡you’re busy demanding respect for the arts, meanwhile you play other professions like this!
— marang setshwaelo (@marangdream) December 13, 2017
Tsek! #Nonke #BlackTwitterAwards2017 https://t.co/J4BoiOYNgJ
Such hateration?! Can a black child not thrive without an inquiry? Who was gonna come up with categories like #BestRIPTwitter? 🤣😭 pic.twitter.com/sW4idRk85m
— happily misdirected feminist (@lebomashile) December 13, 2017
Despite the PR drama, the ZAlebs team put on their best PJs (think Bonang and Toke Makinwa in that expensive Gucci number, except ours were from Marabastad) and we broke out the boxed wine to enjoy during the show.
5FM DJ, Rob Forbes wasted no time in sending in his “nominations” as soon as Gumede announced that they were open.
Although the awards took place in the digital arena, they ran more professionally than some of the local awards ceremonies in existence, complete with a red carpet to rival all red carpets.
#BlackTwitterAwards2017 RED CARPET SENG'KHONA!!!! 💖🔥😗💖😍 pic.twitter.com/Lr1UunV5vO
— Asanda Magaqa (@asandamagaqa) December 13, 2017
The incredibly Host for tonight and usually mistaken for the evil cat voice on #igazimzansi is here. He looks deliciously dreadful @SpitchNzawumbi 😚 is on the red carpet tweeps. #BlackTwitterAwards2017 pic.twitter.com/tYCJ3IuppS
— Portia Gumede (@portiagumedesa) December 13, 2017
19h00
— 11 (@stapu_sa) December 13, 2017
A bit late but at least she's not braaing tonite. @Skolopad everyone on the red carpet of #BlackTwitterAwards2017 pic.twitter.com/5MV1HcCPr7
— Portia Gumede (@portiagumedesa) December 13, 2017
The red carpet is getting really hot. @PearlThusi is here and she's looking mighty fine. She's up against @Penxenxe for the Best Savage tonight. Her movie is on in March #catchingfeelings Don't be fooled. She's hot but Unyoko knows her. pic.twitter.com/xqhZCl6qho
— Portia Gumede (@portiagumedesa) December 13, 2017
Just arrived #BlackTwitterAwards2017 pic.twitter.com/uYH1YD5h0W
— kgabo shilabjwe (@kgabo_shilabjwe) December 13, 2017
Evening Tweephearts. First up on the red carpet...We have @ThembaRumbu and he brought the ocean with him. He's up for the Best TweetsThief Award. Sexy thief😋 He's up again Daniel. Show him some love. #BlackTwitterAwards2017 pic.twitter.com/zATS2b9kQk
— Portia Gumede (@portiagumedesa) December 13, 2017
Guess who just made it to the red carpet @wabantu_zodwa and she's carrying Vaseline.
— Portia Gumede (@portiagumedesa) December 13, 2017
Me: What about this Vaseline?
Zodwa: Angazi. I felt like saying it. Better than saying Boerewors 😂#BlackTwitterAwards2017 pic.twitter.com/efaHtJ5oh3
The festivities began promptly, complete with an opening performance:
Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to the #BlackTwitterAwards2017 proudly brought to you by Black Twitter. I’m your host @SpitchNzawumbi . Thank you so much to my co-host @portiagumedesa
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
TONIGHT we will honour the icons who made 2017 memorable for us. To open the night here is... pic.twitter.com/oYcl4jlxlr
Give it up for Ntokozo for that world class performance...👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
Well ladies and Gents, one thing @portiagumedesa and I can agree on is, coming to this very moment has been a lot of hard work. All our nominees are deserving winners. So we will get into it.
And the host got right into announcing the winners who included the likes of Daniel Marven, Austin Malema, Bonang Matheba and one of our faves, Dr. Sindisiwe Van Zyl.
The full list of winners in the 2017 Black Twitter Awards is as follows:
Here we go.....
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
The Best Tweeter Thief award goes to @danielmarven 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/6HCacKPOvL
Best Clap-Backs 2017 goes to @Afrika__N . Congratulations!!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/jVzjaD8SKb
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
Ladies and Gents, this was a very competitive category, but you chose your winner. DRAMA QUEEN OF THE YEAR goes to.... @BrianMolefe pic.twitter.com/t9cKTLuIkb
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
For the most inspiring, witty and informative threads. The award goes to @sindivanzyl . Congratulations Sindi👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/H9YkOLrtFu
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
I never stood a chance 😭😭😭. But I would like to thank black twitter for first not asking who is that 😭😭😭 you guys are so sweet. Second I would like to thank my pet hamster that taught me to keep running & my mother for making me thread my own pants. It paid off Mommy 😭❤️
— Bluebirdy (@SirBluebird) December 13, 2017
Your Best Sunday News Maker for 2017 is.....uBaba Ka Duduzane. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
Anyone to accept the award on his behalf? pic.twitter.com/NjcaupSPo1
Your savage Queen for the Year is.......@Penxenxe . Congratulations Villager!!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/o33Yk3z5XN
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
Among us we also have modern women who stand by their words high and low. We call them imbokodo. Ladies and Gents, The Feminist of the Year Award goes to....@lebomashile 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽. Congratulations Queen. pic.twitter.com/3OYDxwDso6
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
Ladies and Gentleman, Twitter was not just about hashtags this year, we also had books that made headlines for best grama and other things like that...😀
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
Your best Twitter Book in English goes to.... pic.twitter.com/FwGHGmK8Y2
Now we all know Avis are a big thing on Twitter. Believe it or not, the Avi of the Year goes to.... @SizweDhlomo . Congratulations Sizwe!!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/wcLUqh4qkA
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
What would Twitter be without the selected few who’re called to keep us laughing with their threads, Tweets and videos? Ladies and Gents, the most Hilarious Tweep of the Year award goes to.....@Zukolate 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽” Andbazi Nokubazi”. Congratulations!!!🎊🎈🎉 pic.twitter.com/RjuexYP9xl
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
And ofcourse, there were those who kept us thirsting on images they captured and longing for more. Best photographer Award goes to @AustinMalema . Congratulations!!! Austin👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🎉🎊 pic.twitter.com/jKNxPge7m6
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
Twitter is like one big family, ladies and Gents. We celebrate each other, drag each other and mourn each other. The Best #RIP Tweets were from Min. Nathi Mthethwa. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽. Congratulations!!!🎉🎊💫 pic.twitter.com/wTFheiscEd
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
How can we forget those who gave us reason to face each day with positivity and “I can” spirit. Without Tweeps like this one, our gloomy days, have no sunshine. The most Inspiring Tweets were from @Karabo_Mokgoko 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽. CONGRATULATIONS!!!🎊🎉💫 pic.twitter.com/rlUNryUxqv
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
Then there were moments that left our jaws on the floor. In the history of Twitter drags & shaming, we don’t know of anyone who managed to rise above like her this year. The “Look At God” aka “What You Gonna Say Now” Award goes to @ThickLeeyonce . 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Congratulations pic.twitter.com/yWYhnBQpPM
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
Ladies and Gents, how can we forget our popular phrases this year. From exciting, shocking, sensational and plain annoying. The most annoying phrase award goes to “Tholukuthi”. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽. Congratulations!!!🎈🎉🎊 pic.twitter.com/yaG1g19AwW
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
How can we forget those who showed us that no matter where you come from, your dreams are valid. The #BlackChildItsPossibleAward 2017 goes to.....@MbuyiseniNdlozi 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽. Congratulations Dr🎊🎉🎊👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/J0CK1fYHJk
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
Then there are those with the gift of touching anything and turn it into a mouthwatering dish. I call it the art of cookery. Ladies and Gents, the most inspiration chef of the year award goes to @Chef_Lelo 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🎊🎉. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! pic.twitter.com/aqfFfar9Kq
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
Speaking of jaw dropping moments. The award for most Indecent Exposure award goes to....@EmteeSA . Congratulations!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🎊🎉🎊 pic.twitter.com/bfiK3yXZEw
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
And did we have scandals this year?😅😀😃. I’m sure we can all think of one. Amongst many we had. The Scandal Of the Year Award goes to..... “Stoko Sa Migos”. Congratulations!!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🎊🎉🎊 pic.twitter.com/SNRcaZT9RJ
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
Brand of the Year 2017, goes to..... Vaseline (Zodwa Wabantu) video. @Zodwa_Wabantu 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Congratulations!!!🎉🎈🎊🍾 pic.twitter.com/ilbYpHyrvh
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
What would Date My Family be without FBI and Files? Our Files Award goes to @AdvBarryRoux 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽. CONGRATULATIONS!!!🍾🎉🎈 pic.twitter.com/JENo0biPQw
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
Ladies & Gentleman The Black Excellence Award 2017 goes to none other than Mufasa @CassperNyovest 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🎉🎊🎉🍾🎈 pic.twitter.com/bXkm9Fc0JD
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
Ladies and Gents, the final award of the night. The hashtag of the Year goes to #MenAreTrash.🎉🎉🎉🎉👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🎉🎉🎉🎊🎊🎊👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽. pic.twitter.com/6PD75ssjjr
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
We look forward to next year
Ladies and Gentlemen thank you so much for being an amazing audience. That’s how we end our night. Till next time, Adios!!! #BlackTwitterAwards2017 pic.twitter.com/T6kpFYQ7m3
— Spitch Nzawumbi🇿🇦 (@SpitchNzawumbi) December 13, 2017
Thank you for a great evening @SpitchNzawumbi #BlackTwitterAwards2017 Hope everyone had fun😚
— Portia Gumede (@portiagumedesa) December 13, 2017
Thank you for the awards. You were awesome😂😂. If I owned a radio station or tv channel, I'd snap you up. NOW https://t.co/daTQjeaoL1
— Redi Tlhabi (@RediTlhabi) December 13, 2017
As is the case with many awards shows, there was some post event drama brought on by those who felt shafted…
Oksalayo @portiagumedesa 👇🏽 https://t.co/FteNFRE4ZH
— Tanya Junghans (@tanyajunghans) December 13, 2017
In case you are not familiar with Twitter and it’s sarcasm font, this entire article, as well as the “awards ceremony” and the “beef” that arose as a result are not to be taken seriously ladies and gentlemen.
And while you’re in the mood for awards, click here to vote for your faves in the first ever 2017 ZAlebs Awards.
Main image credit: twitter.com