Beffta awards 2015: Wambali, Nyasatimes, a number of Malawians nominated

Malawi’s legendary jazz musician Wambali Mkandawire  has earned a global nomination together with online publication Nyasa Times and a number of Malawians in UK have been nominated at the 2015 Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television and Arts Awards (BEFFTA). [caption id="attachment_91026" align="alignright" width="335"] Mte Wambali Mkandawire nominated[/caption] [caption id="attachment_96208" align="alignright" width="338"] Miss Malawi UK organiser Kondi Bowoyeke: Nominated[/caption] [caption id="attachment_96209" align="alignright" width="289"] Thungeya: Nominated in Hair Stylist category[/caption] [caption id="attachment_96210" align="alignright" width="291"] Sweetjuice: Nominated in Hair Stylist category[/caption] The BEFFTA is Europe’s biggest award ceremony celebrating black and ethnic personalities in entertainment, film, fashion, television and arts. With over 6000 guests in attendance annually BEFFTA awards, founded by entrepreneur, TV presenter and philanthropist Pauline Long in 2009 is back for the 7th year to celebrate greatness within the African and Caribbean community and fully funded by the media personality. Wambali has earned nomination in the category of ‘Best African Legends’. Others nominated in the category are Zimbabwe’s legend Oliver Mtukudzi, Suzanna Owiyo, Jose Chameleone, Angelique Kidjo, Iryn Namubiru Malawi leading online publication Nyasa Times domiciled in UK has earned nomination in the Best Community News Website category which also has Informer East Africa, Melting Pot, Allafrica.com, CaribDirect, ItzCaribbean, AfroNews, Eco Media, Ugandan Buzz, Misterseed.com, Madnewsuk.com and Nigerian Watch. From Nyasa Times, the online publication’s editor Thom Twee Chiumia has earned nomination as Journalist of the Year in a category which other nominees include Malawian London based Vinjeru Mkandawire. Other journalists in the category are : Ayo Akinfe, Phinna Chichi Ikeji, Julius Mbaluto, Alice Ukoko, Regina Jere Malanda, Rodney Hinds, Stephen Ogongo, Gakuru Macharia, David Roberts, Noellin Imoh. There are other Malawi nominations in the media field. MC Chijota is nominated in Radio Personality of the year category whereas his Pamtengo online Radio is up for an award for Station of the year –which they won last year. Other Malawians nominated for Beffta awards include socialite Phyllis Sweetjuice and former Miss Blantyre and Miss Malawi UK, Thungeya Nhlane aka Alicia Lady Boss. They are in the category of Best Hair Stylists. Malawian photographer Davie Sazuze has been nominated for an award as Best Events Photographer. [caption id="attachment_57724" align="alignright" width="600"] Alexina Phiri, former Miss Malawi UK and trained lawyer: Nominated[/caption] Miss Malawi UK has picked two nominations in Best Beauty Pageant category which also has Miss Pride of Africa UK, Mr Africa International, Miss Teen Caribbean UK, The Commonwealth Pageants, Miss Congo UK, Miss Black Africa UK, Miss Ghana UK, Miss Trinidad and Tobago, Miss Uganda UK, Miss Nubian UK, Miss Jamaica UK, Miss Zimbabwe UK, Miss Cameroon UK, Mr and Miss Black Beauty Universal, Miss Jamaica UK, Miss Guyana UK and Face of Kenya UK. Another category for Miss Malawi UK is Best Beauty Queen facing the challenge from Miss Teen Commonwealth International, Miss Jamaica UK, Miss Uganda UK, Miss Pride of Africa, Miss Malawi UK, Miss Nubian UK, Miss Black Africa UK, Miss Cameroon UK, Miss Commonwealth Caribbean, Miss Commonwealth Africa, Face of Kenya UK Miss Malawi UK organiser Kondi Bowoyeke Munthali has also been nominated as Best Beauty Pageant Director. Other Malawians nominated are student Rose Mmangisa, trained lawyer Alexina Phiri - the two are former Miss Malawi UK. They have been nominated in Best Former Beauty Queen category. Dama Phiri of Dama Fashions has been nominated in Best Female Fashion designer. BEFFTA founder Pauline Long said, “this year is extremely special, in the spirit of giving back to the community everybody including the nominees will receive special prizes.” The general public can vote through the voting link : www.beffta.com/voting Winners will be announced on Saturday October 31st, 2015. Last year Malawi’s hip hop star Tay Grin scooped a Beffta award.