The excitement was palpable at the Radisson RED Rooftop in Rosebank, as content creators, media and high-profile personalities from across the country gathered for the much-anticipated DStv Content Creator Awards nominee announcement event.

ALSO READ: The 2024 DStv Content Creator Awards’ Content Creator Workshop Ignites Enthusiasm And Engagement

The annual awards event, which celebrates the best and brightest content creators, unveiled the nominees for this year’s awards to cheers and jubilation, recognising excellence across 17 categories.

Among the categories, five will be open for public voting, allowing fans to choose who takes home the coveted awards. To cast your vote for your favourite creator, visit www.contentcreatorawards.co.za or SMS your favourite nominee’s unique code to 33103 and you could win a VIP experience to the awards on 12 October. Ts & Cs Apply. SMSs charged at R1.50

The 2024 DStv Content Creator Awards nominees are:

Cause Award (Vote for your favourite and win)

• Bella Monsoon, for The Fight Against GBV (Unique Code: CAUSE1)
• Mimo for Lymphadema Awareness (Unique Code: CAUSE2)
• Nomzamo Mbatha for Nomzamo Lighthouse Foundation Empowering HER campaign (Unique Code: CAUSE3)
• Shandor Larenty for United Nations international Arabian Leopard Day (Unique Code: CAUSE4)
• Siv Fighting Period Poverty for Socks for Sanitary Pads (Unique Code: CAUSE5)

Storyteller Award

• Birth Of Stars, for ‘Birth Of Stars’
• Brandon Olifant, for ‘From Vaal To Jacanda’
• Joshwideawake, for ‘Inside South Africa’s Most Dangerous Neighbourhood’
• Overthinking Football, for ‘This Is What Makes Malelodi Sundowns Successful’
• The Ndlovu’s Uncut, for ‘LoveLocked’

Emerging Creator Award (Vote for your favourite and win)

• Chesrae Megan (Unique code: EMERGING1)
• Collen BhutiKaSimi (Unique Code: EMERGING2)
• Grace Mondlana (Unique Code: EMERGING3)
• Jane Mpholo (Unique Code: EMERGING4)
• Yerik Jomei (Unique Code: EMERGING5)

Song of the Year Award, Powered by 947 (Vote for your favourite and win)

• Dlala Thukzin – iPLAN (Unique Code: SONG1)
• Kamo Mphela – Dalie (Unique Code: SONG2)
• TitoM & Yuppe – Tshwala Bam (Unique Code: SONG3)
• Tyla – Water (Unique Code: SONG4)
• Tyler ICU – Mnike (Unique Code: SONG5)

Social Commentary Award

• Darren Campher
• Politically Aweh
• Shanray Van Wyk
• Silas Must Fall
• Zethu Gqola

Travel & Lifestyle Award

• Centtwinz Travel
• Chris Rogers
• J. Martin
• Mzwandile & Siza Ndlovu
• Simóne and Vernon

The winner in this category will be gifted a R10,000 LIFT Wallet from LIFT.

Foodie Award

• Cooking With Zanele
• Karabo Didi
• Kenneth Tebogo Middleton
• Mush Kitchen
• Sifo The Cooking Husband

Beauty Award

• Colourme Sim
• Zoliswa Mahlobo
• ZeeXOnline
• Zesipho.M
• Foyin OG

Fashion & Style Award

• Kamo Mphela
• Kat Sinivasan
• Kefilwe Mabote
• Nabilah Kariem
• Phupho Gumede K

Trendsetter Award (Vote for your favourite and win)

• Coachella Randy  (Unique Code: TREND1)
• Khanyisa Unfiltered (Unique Code: TREND2)
• Linda Mtoba (Unique Code: TREND3)
• Mandz Not Hot (Unique Code: TREND4
• Moghelingz (Unique Code: TREND5)
• Nabilah Kariem (Unique Code: TREND6)

Best Event After Movie Award

• Rage Festival, produced by G&G Productions
• Retreat Yourself, produced by Audio Visual Alchemy
• Rocking the Daisies, produced by Palm Productions
• Soundset Sunday, produced by French For New
• Ultra South Africa, produced by Anything Goes

Gaming Creator of the Year Award

• Beamerboy TV
• Canton Parker
• Furious Kitty
• NaturalCauzes
• Sam ‘Tech Girl’ Wright

Podcast of the Year Award

• African Story Magic with Gcina Mhlophe
• History of South Africa
• Popcorn & Cheese
• True Crime South Africa
• Wide Awake Podcast

Thumb-stopping Award

• Chris Rogers
• Ricollin
• Shandor Larenty
• Stefan
• Theblackwendy
• Wiseman Zither

Best Creator Campaign Content Award

• Belinda Gwala for Bernini: Made from Wine’
• Chris Rogers for Bonaqua: Chug Life
• Gingerwithagopro for Samsung: S23 Ultra
• Janey en Waney for Kyknet: Op my Eish Seisoen 3
• Sipho Muchindu for Carling Black Label – AbinBev:  Most Awarded Beer

Pan-African Creator Award

• Charity Ekezie
• Kuda Rice
• Mark Angel Comedy
• Tilda Harris
• Uncle Mo

DStv Creator of the Year Award (Vote for your favourite and win)

• Darren Campher (Unique Code: DSTV1)
• Khanyisa Unfiltered (Unique Code: DSTV2)
• Mandz Not Hot (Unique Code: DSTV3)
• Nabilah Kariem (Unique Code: DSTV4)
• Shandor Larenty (Unique Code: DSTV5)
• Sifo The Cooking Husband (Unique Code: DSTV6)
• Siv Ngesi (Unique code: DSTV7)

All winners receive a gorgeous trophy designed by artist and designer Shaun Oakley, AKA That Damn Vandal, and a prize hamper valued at approx. R5,000.

“The DStv Content Creator Awards have quickly become a highlight on the digital and social calendar, providing a platform to showcase the creativity and innovation that drives our content creation industry,” says Charis Coleman, Head of Digital Content – MultiChoice Group. “This year’s nominee list is a testament to the diverse and vibrant talent that continues to shape the digital landscape.”

In addition to the excitement surrounding the nominees, two of the awards’ partners have launched competitions specifically targeting creators, giving them another chance to shine.

Get ready for #footbALLonDStv 

DStv launched a competition inviting creators to share how they get ready or watch ALL the football action on DStv.

The competition winner will not only walk away with R20,000 in cash but also enjoy a VIP experience at the 2024 DStv Content Creator Awards, including double tickets, an official backstage photo opportunity, and a bar tab worth R1,000.

To participate, creators must use the hashtags #footbALLonDStv and #DStvCCA, and tag DStv and the Content Creator Awards on their social media posts.

Entries close on 24 September 2024.

Welcome Amarula Premium African Gin, hello to a new award!

A new addition to this year’s awards is the “Spirit of Africa Award”, presented by Amarula Premium African Gin. This award celebrates content that embodies the essence of Africa. Creators are encouraged to submit video content, up to 2 minutes long, that showcases what it means to be unmistakably African. The winner will receive R20,000 in cash and the honour of being the first to hold this prestigious new award.

Entries for the Spirit of Africa Award must include the hashtags #AmarulaAfricanGin, #SpiritOfAfrica, and #DStvCCA, and are open to South African residents only.

Entries close on 24 September 2024.

The awards event takes place on Saturday 12 October in Johannesburg, tickets go on sale soon.  To preregister for tickets, or for more information on the DStv Content Creator Awards, visit www.contentcreatorawards.co.za

Image Courtesy: Supplied

The Content Creator Workshop, hosted by the DStv Content Creator Awards, experienced a remarkable turnout with a full capacity room on Monday, August 5. Now in its second year, the event highlighted the eagerness and enthusiasm of up-and-coming content creators to network, learn, and engage in meaningful discussions.

ALSO READ: The 2024 DStv Content Creator Awards’ Content Creator Workshop Ignites Enthusiasm And Engagement

Now a key event on the awards’ calendar, the workshop aimed to empower creators through knowledge sharing and provide valuable insights into the world of content creation. Participants had the opportunity to listen to industry experts, who shared their experiences and expertise, leaving content creators inspired and hungry for more information.

The event featured an impressive lineup of speakers and panels, each bringing unique perspectives and insights. Manuela Dias de Deus, the founder of the DStv Content Creator Awards, kicked off the workshop by emphasising the importance of such events in nurturing the growth of creators and recognising the sponsors who made it all possible.

The first panel discussion, titled ‘How to Find Your Niche and Monetize Your Content,’ addressed a critical question for many creators: how to hone in on a niche audience and eventually make money from content creation. Moderated by Omar Morto, the panel featured Kim Jayde, Tums The Narrator, and Phaello Tshabalala, who shared insights and personal journeys into becoming professional content creators.

Phaello shared how she began her career through trade exchanges and how she has gained the trust of brands, earning their confidence to invest in her work. Kim Jayde discussed the importance of staying true to your content and maintaining authenticity when partnering with brands. She also highlighted her journey of staying relevant in the content space since her start as a model and TV presenter over a decade ago. Lastly, Tums The Narrator explained the business aspects of content creation and highlighted the importance of finding a niche within a niche. She also discussed the significance of open briefs and how to respectfully push back to ensure that partnerships are mutually beneficial for both the brand and the creator.

Next, Kim Jayde took the moderator seat to discuss how creators and agencies work together. She was joined by Ntokozo Masimula, Culture and Partnership Lead at Duma Collective; Greg Walsh, CEO at G&G Productions; and Manuela Dias de Deus, CEO at One-eyed Jack. The panellists shared what they look for when connecting brands with creators and their needs when selecting the right creator for a brand.

Ntokozo discussed how brands are now seeking authentic and relatable content over highly curated, aspirational material while still incorporating the brand narrative. He explained that successful campaigns require a balance and a bit of give and take. He also offered valuable insights about contracts and what creators should look for. Greg emphasised that his team prioritizes the passion of potential influencers when selecting individuals to work with. He shared his experience of collaborating with Caspar Lee to market events like the Rage Festival, highlighting how influential these partnerships were at the onset of the social media surge and how they underscored the power of influencer marketing in business. One-eyed Jack founder Manuela Dias De Deus talked about the evolution of PR with the rise of influencers and how these elements are now integrated. She also provided some PR dos and don’ts for creators, focusing on building their personal brands and enhancing the brands they represent in campaigns.

Renaldo Schwarp, Senior Manager: Multiplatform at DStv South Africa, announced DStv’s competition for content creators to share how they are getting ready to watch ALL the football with DStv. This exciting competition provides an opportunity for talented content creators to share fun, lifestyle-focused video content. The winning creator will win R20,000 cash, a set of double tickets to the 2024 DStv Content Creator Awards, an official photograph opportunity backstage and a bar tab worth R1,000. To win, creators must use the hashtag #footbALLonDStv and tag DStv on the respective social media platform.

In an insightful conversation Devi Govender, Executive Producer and Anchor of The Devi Show on eTV and eNCA, shared valuable lessons she wished she had known earlier in her career. Gail Schimmel, CEO of the Advertising Regulatory Board, followed with important tips on content regulations and legalities that all creators should know.

As podcasts continue to gain popularity, Leigh Carter Cochrane, Head of Commercial at Africa Podcast Network delved into the process of starting a podcast and how to commercialise a digital platform.

Adding another layer to the insightful day, 947’s Digital Content Producer Nondwe Maqubela, along with Chanley Wong and Thabile Masuku from the Suzuki 947 Amp Squad, shared a ‘Radio 101’ discussion. They unpacked topics like digital amplification across commercial, events, and programming, as well as what brands look for in KPIs when it comes to trends and engagement.

Finally, in another insightful panel discussion, moderated by Manuela Dias de Deus, Sadika Fakir, Executive: Digital Marketing & Media at Absa Group; Pumeza Chilembo, Senior Brand Manager for Nestlé’s iconic brands Bar One and Tex; and Maisha Mamabolo, Brand Manager: White Spirits & Liqueurs at Heineken Beverages and fitness influencer Zinhle Masango, discussed working with brands and what brands expect when collaborating with creators.

The workshop concluded with an overwhelming sense of inspiration and motivation. The DStv Content Creator Awards’ Content Creator Workshop not only provided valuable knowledge but also fostered a sense of community among aspiring creators. The event highlighted the importance of continued learning, networking, and collaboration in the ever-evolving digital landscape.