FROM bylines to red carpets, local entertainment journalists are beaming with pride as they earn a spot among the coveted Afrluencer Awards nominees.
The African Influencer Awards seek to recognise young Africans who use their talents and influence to positively impact society.
Afrluencers announced this year’s list of nominees recently, with the main ceremony set for October 26 at Impala Car Rentals in Bulawayo.
NewsDay Life & Style spoke to some of the scribes who are in the running to walk away with awards, among them is Alpha Media Holdings’ Mpumelelo Moyo.
“I am very happy and much humbled to be nominated at this year’s edition. It’s been an interesting year in the entertainment industry with a lot of highs, lows, a bit of dramatic situations here and there, but that’s all part of the ingredients that make the tabloids move,” Moyo said.
“I interviewed and met so many people from all walks of life. I’ve learnt and grown so much and I am grateful to my audiences, my sources and obviously to my editors who always add that extra breath of life and value into the stories.
“I am proud of the people I am nominated against. Coincidentally, I was nominated against one of them last year at the Bulawayo Arts Awards. Thanks for the support once more to the readers. Remember to vote and we bring it home.”
Also vying for the gong is Chronicle showbiz reporter Mbulelo Mpofu, who said he was grateful for the nomination and felt like an influencer.
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“I feel grateful to be nominated among some of the influential people in the precinct,” he said.
“This is my first nomination in the African Influencer Awards. I feel like an influencer (lol). Just the mere recognition of my work means so much to me.”
Mpofu said the nomination was a testament to his work ethic adding that he has two journalistic awards.
“I have two journalistic awards to my name, having won the Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards Outstanding Journalist gong as well as the Pumula Royal Arts and Community Awards Best Journalist accolade last year. This is a testament to reaping the rewards for hard work and I thank the organisers for noticing what I do,” he said.
Sport, Arts and Recreation deputy minister Emily Jesaya gave the nominees a thumbs-up.
“I am very well aware of Mbulelo and Mpumelelo. I’ve actually closely followed their work online. It’s good to see hard work being recognised and to see young people realising their dreams. A heartfelt congratulations to them and to the rest of the nominees,” she said.
“I am excited, as it shows that part of my work is recognised as an author, corporate trainer and leadership specialist. This recognition comes from my latest book, A Call to Leadership Agility,” said another nominee Jonah Nyoni.
Some of the nominees include AbaseMancubeni Writers Association’s Mthokozisi Ncube, Mommy Diaries’s Nonhlanhla Moyo-Mahlahla and Rutendo Shoko, a mental health blogger running under the blog Roxy’s Random Thoughts.
