Tana Malinga
Johannesburg stood at the epicentre of African excellence as the prestigious Africa Choice Awards unveiled an impressive list of 120 nominees for its landmark seventh edition, heralding a defining moment for the continent’s flourishing creative, entrepreneurial and innovation sectors.
For the first time in its celebrated history, the distinguished Pan-African awards platform officially arrives on South African soil, with the exclusive nominees reveal hosted at Bryanston Rockets in Johannesburg, a fittingly vibrant setting for an occasion steeped in prestige, promise and continental pride.
Held in the spirit of Africa Day, the event brought together an influential gathering of media leaders, industry tastemakers and cultural trailblazers who bore witness to a historic chapter in the elevation of African talent. The atmosphere was one of celebration and anticipation as the awards once again affirmed their place as one of the continent’s most respected platforms for recognising excellence across multiple industries.
This year’s nominee list reflects the richness and diversity of African brilliance, honouring exceptional talent from South Africa and across the continent, including Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Cameroon, Mauritius, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Mhlonishwa Winston Kunene
Among the standout nominees drawing admiration is Mhlonishwa Winston Kunene, who has earned a well-deserved nomination in the Young Male Entrepreneur of the Year category.
A respected force within South Africa’s property landscape, Kunene is the visionary founder of the Libertalia Group and current co-founder of the South African Youth in Property Association. His recent appointment as a Technical Committee Council Member for the Property Sector Charter Council further cements his reputation as one of the sector’s most forward-thinking young leaders.
With a decade of experience in real estate, Kunene’s journey is one of determination, resilience and trailblazing ambition. His career began at just 19 years old when he joined Pam Golding Properties as an intern, distinguishing himself as both the youngest and only black professional within the company at the time, a milestone that marked the beginning of a remarkable rise.
Today, he leads a thriving real estate enterprise boasting more than 6,000 registered members, a testament to his entrepreneurial vision and unwavering commitment to transforming the property sector through innovation and inclusive growth.
His nomination serves as a powerful reflection of the Africa Choice Awards’ commitment to recognising not only artistic brilliance but also entrepreneurial excellence shaping the future of Africa’s economy.
The carefully selected nominees span an expansive spectrum of disciplines, including television, radio, podcasting, film, music, fashion, beauty, photography, digital content creation, innovation and emerging creative enterprises, each representing the dynamic pulse of a continent redefining global cultural influence.
The rigorous selection process combined public nominations with assessments conducted by an independent panel of esteemed media and industry professionals from six African nations. Candidates were evaluated on merit, consistency, visibility, influence and measurable impact.
Puni Modiboa, Managing Director of Mmina Tshipi Integrated Marketing Communication, described the Africa Choice Awards as far more than a ceremonial celebration.
Noting that the platform has evolved into a continental movement dedicated to amplifying Africa’s voices, celebrating innovation, and showcasing the continent’s growing cultural authority on the global stage.
With South Africa now serving as host, the awards are poised to unlock fresh opportunities for creative collaboration, tourism growth, youth empowerment and cultural diplomacy.
As anticipation builds toward the seventh edition, Africa watches with pride as its brightest stars, from creatives to business visionaries such as Kunene, prepare to take centre stage in what promises to be an unforgettable celebration of excellence, ambition and African possibility.
SOUTH AFRICA NOMINEES
The following nominees represent the best of South African creative talent across 30 categories
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