Three SA women to grace BET Awards

Black and Wodumo are vying for the Viewer’s Choice Award: Best international Act and the Best International Act: Africa accolades respectively.

“I am overwhelmed, humbled and overjoyed with this honour,” Chaka Chaka said early this month. “I have received many awards and have performed on many stages in the world and getting this recognition just puts the pieces of the puzzle together.”

Chaka Chaka, who will be recognised alongside Somali-Canadian social activist Ilwad Elman, also took to Instagram to acknowledge Black’s nomination. “South African star who joins the long list of BET nominees is Amanda Black. The AmaZulu singer has been nominated in the Viewer’s Choice Award: Best International Act category in conjunction with performers from the UK, South Korea, Canada, Australia and Jamaica,” Chaka Chaka wrote.

The executive vice-president and managing director of Viacom International Media Networks Africa, Alex Okosi, said: “The continent is privileged and honoured to have incredible women such as Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Ilwad Elman representing Africa. They are well-deserved recipients who have influenced the world through their humanitarianism and social activism. Our congratulations go out to all the winners including Chance the Rapper and New Edition whose artistry has transcended the boundaries of music. Congratulations also go to Amanda Black who is making her mark in the industry.”

Black urged the public to vote for her. “Fans can support their favourite Viewer’s Choice Best International Act nominee by voting online at BET.com or on social media by tagging the handle @BET_Intl on Twitter and Instagram and using the hashtag #ipick. Voting closes on 22 June at 00:59,” she wrote on Instagram.

Chaka Chaka and Ilwad join past Global Good winners, philanthropist Akon for his Lighting Africa initiative and Tanzanian supermodel Millen Magese for her work in maternal and women’s health as well as the education of African girls on self-care through her Millen Magese Foundation.

Wodumo, who completes the trio of South African female artist at the awards ceremony, is nominated alongside Wizkid (Nigeria), Tekno (Nigeria), Mr Eazi (Nigeria), Davido (Nigeria), Stonebwoy (Ghana) as well as fellow South Africans AKA and Nasty C.

Founded in 2001, the BET Awards celebrate achievements in black entertainment and honour music, sports, television and film. The annual star-studded event will be broadcast on BET Africa (DStv channel 129) on 27 June at 8pm CAT.