Flashing lights, steamy affairs and come-back kids

             by Pamela Setati If you were out on the Joburg streets this past weekend, you’ll definitely know that something in the air was different. That’s because the whole of Africa was in town as the musical festivities got underway, ushering in the 11^th edition of the Channel O Africa Music Video Awards. The CHOAMVAs went down at the Expo Centre, and you know that when our African brothers and sisters are in town, it’s always a party to remember! The night was not without its juicy titbits- what with lovebirds Cassper Nyovest and Amanda du-Pont proudly showing off their new romance on the red carpet and being all love-up the whole night! The somewhat odd pairing also took to the stage to declare their steamy affair official- to the entire continent mind you- by sealing it with a kiss while presenting an award together! Talk about setting tongues wagging! Apparently the two have been spotted canoodling all over Egoliwood, often arriving at industry shindigs arm in arm, so this was just a bigger platform for them to shut up the gossip mongers once and for all. The Twittersphere of course went abuzz with the visuals of the kiss, and they couldn’t seem happier. Publicity stunt, or a genuine love affair? Well, only time will tell, but the rapper sure has struck it lucky in the love department since rising to fame-scoring two of Mzansi’s most sought-after starlets. If you remember a while ago, it was rumoured that the pony-tailed rhyme master had been involved with actress Boity Thulo, but the romance fizzled out for some reason or another. We’re pretty sure the whole thing was pretty awkward for Boity to watch- especially since everyone knows of their past dalliances! To be a fly on that wall…   Not only has the young Nyovest won major in the love department, he also walked away with an impressive 3 gongs for his musical efforts. He won the most gifted male; most gifted Southern Africa music video and best music video awards on the night so we guess the kiss was the cherry on top!     Another highlight of the night was the rather Special Recognition Award given to Boom Shaka. The surviving members of the iconic 90s Kwaito group Thembi Seete, Junior Sokhela and Theo Nhlengethwa brought the house down with a nostalgic performance before accepting the Special Recognition Award. In a tearful moment, Thembi Seete said: “In all these years we have never won an award. This means so much to us right now”. The award was also a bitter-sweet moment because it was a few weeks ago that the group remembered their most-famous band mate Lebo Mathosa, who passed away in October 2006 after a fatal car crash.   Another big winner on the night was Tanzania’s Diamond, who also walked away with an impressive 3 awards. The East African’s breakout hit “Number One” scored him the Most Gifted Newcomer, Most Gifted Afropop and Most Gifted East awards. Nigerian songstress Tiwa Savage owned the Most Gifted Female category thanks to her collabo with Don Jazzy called Eminado.   Africa truly knows how to party, and stir up controversy with their fashion choices. Most stand-out moments definitely go to Pam Andrews and Denise Zimba who flashed their physiques in frocks that left very little to the imagination! Check out the rest of the black carpet action below, as well as some behind-the-scenes moments.                      

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