My Metro FM Awards Experience

I had the pleasure of attending the Metro FM Music Awards this year and as with every event I had my fill of the good and the bad. Needless to say though, the unexpected invitation could not have come at a better time because I really needed a break from Jozi even if it was just for the weekend. 

Our all expenses paid trip started off at ORT airport on Friday on what was supposed to be a 15h30 flight to Durbs. Lo and behold when some of us punctual people got to the airport at 14h00, as is the norm to get there an hour before boarding; we were told that our chattered flight was delayed. 

3 hours later we eventually made it on to the plane only to get stuck for another hour at King Shaka International Airport when we arrived because the shuttle buses were not there. 

The logical question on everyone’s lips was; since we were already late why didn’t the shuttle just get to the airport and WAIT. 

It is worth noting though that if there is one chilled celeb in Mzansi that has to be Zizo Beda. While a lot of us were huffing and puffing about the delays, the Selimathunzi star just took it all in her strides.

We checked in at eLangeni Hotel while some of the guests went to Hilton Hotel.

Zola and Xoli waiting at King Shaka

The pre-party was held at BLVD on Florida. What could have been an all round nice fun filled evening started off with a whole 2 hour wait from guests’ arrival simply because LIVE AMP had to be recorded. What that meant was that, for the invited guests, we had to sit there and wait for all that to be done before we can actually get food and drinks.

Once Live Amp was done the party began. The VIP lounge was filled with SABC 1 personalities such as Lerato Kganyago, Xoli Zondi, Aaron Moloisi, Pearl Modiadie, Lunga Shabalala, to name just a few. Metro FM Dj Glenn Lewis was on the decks keeping the music pumping. 

I got the opportunity to meet Kede Mkhabela. Monuments should be erected for that woman’s ageless beauty. Yerrrr maan!. The woman still looks hot. She still looks as gorgeous as she did during her Simunye days. 

I have known Xoli Zondi for quite a while, long before she became Zodwa on Generations. She and my new friend Zola Nombona were my posse for the night. We had a blast. I also got to hangout with musician, Zuluboy. He is quite a riot, that one. He had us in stitches all evening with his humour and antics. 

View from my hotel room

Saturday was awards day. I slept most of the day. At 18h00 we were shuttled to the ICC where the ceremony was held. Upon arriving, Durbanites were lining the entrance screaming for their favourite stars as they arrived on the black carpet. 

Sitting arrangements in the auditorium had few journalists miffed. Turned out that some journos were placed right at the back where their view was obstructed by big TV cameras. One journo friend was so upset that she told me she should have just stayed at the hotel and watched the show on tv. The award ceremony went on without a glitch, then again I had better seat so I had nothing to complain about. 

The afterparty at the ICC was a total bore. Two afterparties were held in Durban, one at the ICC and the other at Moses Mabhida Stadium. By all account it would appear that the one in Moses Mabhida was bigger and better. Unfortunately most of the guests only had invitations to the one at the ICC. I was so bored at the ICC that I actually left just after midnight. 

Flights back to Jozi started leaving King Shaka International on Sunday morning. I once again had the misfortune of being on a flight that was delayed for more than two hours. The whole trip from the hotel to the airport to landing at ORT was 6 hours. I only arrived home at 8pm after leaving the hotel in Durban at 12h30. 

The good and the bad, I had a great time in Durban. I enjoyed the trip besides the heat and flight delays.

Special thanks to Blue Moon, Metro FM and SABC1 for the invitation and making this one of the most memorable moments of my career in this business. This was my very second sponsored trip out of Jozi where I did not have to work but just have fun. 

Thanks a mil for that.  Le kamoso.