Entertainment
How the DStv Content Creator Awards Are Evolving in Their Third Year
In just a few short years, the DStv Content Creator Awards have evolved into a vital platform for recognising and celebrating the exceptional talent within South Africa’s digital content creation landscape. Founded by Manuela Dias De Deus, MD of communications agency One-eyed Jack, the awards were conceived from the realisation that while South Africa boasts incredibly talented digital creators, there was a glaring lack of recognition for their efforts.
The DStv Content Creator Awards fills this gap by providing a platform to showcase work and an ecosystem that supports both emerging and established creators. As entries for 2024 officially open, Manuela unpacks the origins, goals, and future of the awards, highlighting their profound impact on past winners and nominees and their expanding reach across Africa.
What did you hope these awards will achieve?
Our intention was to fill a gap in the industry not only by providing a platform to showcase content creators, but to create an ecosystem for emerging creators to have access to established creators, brands and agencies, with the aim of creating work and helping them monetise their content. The roll-out is significant, with mentorships, learning days, incubator workshops and webinars, all aimed at fostering opportunities, generating income, and fuelling creativity. We want to highlight the importance that digital creators have within the marketing and creative fields, and the impact they have shaping digital culture through their storytelling.
How do you select the nominees and winners for the awards?
The selection process for the DStv Content Creator Awards is rigorous and transparent. We have a diverse panel of judges comprising industry experts, influencers, and thought leaders who evaluate submissions based on creativity, originality, impact, and engagement. These submissions have been entered in by content creators or brands themselves. We also encourage public participation through voting in certain categories, ensuring that the audience has a voice in recognising their favourite creators. This dual approach ensures a balanced and fair evaluation of all nominees.
How has the public responded to the DStv Content Creator Awards so far?
The response from the public has been overwhelmingly positive. Audiences are thrilled to see their favourite creators being recognised and celebrated. We’ve seen a significant increase in engagement across all our channels, and the awards have sparked conversations about the importance of digital content creation. The support from the public has been instrumental in driving the success of the awards and highlights the impact these creators have on their communities.
What impact have the awards had on past winners and nominees?
The impact on past winners and nominees has been profound. Many have reported increased visibility and new opportunities for brand partnerships and collaborations. Some have even seen their follower counts and engagement metrics soar. Additionally, the credibility and recognition that come with winning a DStv Content Creator Award have opened doors for many creators, helping them to further their careers and expand their influence.
This year, the awards are expanding to the rest of Africa with the Pan-African Creator Award. Tell us more about that.
This new category marks a significant milestone in our mission to celebrate and recognise the outstanding talent across the entire African continent. The Pan-African Creator Award is designed to honour creators from various African countries who are making remarkable contributions to the digital space. By expanding our reach beyond South Africa, we aim to highlight the diversity and richness of African creativity and storytelling. This expansion allows us to bring together a broader spectrum of voices and perspectives, fostering a more inclusive and interconnected community of digital creators. Our vision for the Pan-African Creator Award is to create a platform where African digital creators can gain international visibility, attract global partnerships, and inspire a new generation of creators. By shining a spotlight on the incredible talent found throughout Africa, we hope to contribute to the growth and development of the digital content creation industry on the continent.
Closing off, where do you see these DStv Content Creator Awards going in the future?
Looking ahead, we envision the DStv Content Creator Awards to be the biggest initiative of its kind on the African continent, and it’s well on its way to being that, especially with the inclusion of the Pan-African Creator Award. After focusing purely on South African creators in the past two years, we’re so happy to have been able to extend the platform to include the continent now too. The impact of the awards is significant, it’s given creators work, brand endorsements and funding and has opened doors to new career paths for many. With ongoing support, we hope that it remains a beacon of excellence and inspiration, creating opportunities for creators to prosper and for their work to reach even greater heights.
Content creators and brands are encouraged to enter their work at www.contentcreatorawards.co.za before 21
Mzansi Celebs
Thando Thabethe and Robert Marawa Spark Relationship Buzz with Instagram Debut
South African actress and radio personality Thando Thabethe has sent social media into a frenzy after finally sharing a photo of sports broadcaster Robert Marawa on her Instagram—fueling excitement among fans who have long speculated about their relationship.
The 947 presenter posted a carousel of glamorous photos from the recent Nedbank International Polo event held at the Inanda Club in Sandton. While fans admired her elegant look, it was the final image in the post that quickly stole the spotlight—a candid and affectionate snap of Thabethe and Marawa gazing into each other’s eyes while holding each other closely.
For many followers, the post felt like an official confirmation of what has been one of Mzansi’s most talked-about celebrity romances.
The pair have been romantically linked since late 2023, but both Thabethe and Marawa have kept their relationship largely private, choosing not to publicly address the speculation. Despite being spotted together at various events, holidays, and even sporting matches, neither had shared a photo together on social media—until now.
Fans wasted no time flooding the comment section with excitement, with many saying they had been waiting for this moment. Some described the photo as “Instagram official,” while others praised the couple for keeping their relationship low-key and classy.
The chemistry between the two has been the subject of public fascination for months, especially after the pair were seen vacationing abroad earlier this year. Although eagle-eyed followers noticed they were posting from the same locations, they carefully avoided featuring each other in their pictures—adding even more intrigue to the rumours.
Robert Marawa also recently added to the speculation during an appearance on Thando’s 947 radio show, when he was asked directly about his relationship status. While he didn’t explicitly confirm anything, his playful response left many convinced that romance was indeed in the air.
Now, with Thando’s latest Instagram post, many fans believe the couple may finally be ready to share their love story more openly.
Thabethe, one of South Africa’s most celebrated media personalities, has always been selective about what she shares about her private life, making the post even more significant for her followers. Meanwhile, Marawa—known for his high-profile career in sports broadcasting—has also maintained a relatively guarded approach when it comes to his personal relationships.
Whether this marks a full public debut or simply a rare glimpse into their private world, one thing is certain: Mzansi is obsessed.
Social media continues to buzz with excitement, and fans are already hoping this is just the beginning of more adorable couple moments from one of South Africa’s favourite rumoured celebrity pairings.
Entertainment
Dutch Lawmakers Call for Kanye West Entry Ban Ahead of Netherlands Concerts
Dutch lawmakers are calling on their government to block controversial American rapper Kanye West, also known as Ye, from entering the Netherlands ahead of his scheduled performances in June, intensifying growing international scrutiny over the artist’s past antisemitic remarks and public praise of Adolf Hitler.
The move comes as a broad majority in the Dutch parliament backed a motion urging authorities to explore legal options to deny the rapper entry into the country. West is currently scheduled to perform two concerts in the city of Arnhem on June 6 and June 8, with thousands of fans expected to attend. However, mounting political pressure and widespread public criticism have cast uncertainty over whether the shows will go ahead.
The controversy follows a series of incidents involving the Grammy-winning artist, whose comments and actions over the past several years have drawn condemnation from governments, advocacy groups, and the entertainment industry worldwide.
West has repeatedly faced backlash for antisemitic statements, including comments widely interpreted as praising Nazism and Adolf Hitler. In 2025, he sparked outrage after releasing a song titled Heil Hitler and selling merchandise featuring swastika imagery through his online platforms. Major streaming services later removed the song, while several brands and business partners distanced themselves from the rapper.
Although West issued a public apology earlier this year, attributing much of his past conduct to struggles with bipolar disorder, critics argue that his actions have caused lasting harm and that his apology does not erase the impact of his words.
The renewed calls for a Dutch entry ban come shortly after the United Kingdom denied West permission to enter the country, forcing the cancellation of his planned appearance at London’s Wireless Festival. British officials reportedly ruled that his presence would not be “conducive to the public good,” citing concerns over public safety and social cohesion.
In the Netherlands, however, authorities have so far stopped short of imposing such a ban.
Dutch Asylum and Migration Minister Bart van den Brink recently stated that under Dutch law, authorities can only block an individual’s entry if there is evidence that they pose a serious threat to public order or national security. Based on current information, he said, there is no clear legal basis to deny West entry.
Arnhem Mayor Ahmed Marcouch has echoed similar sentiments, explaining that local officials are limited in what they can do unless there are concrete security concerns related to the concerts themselves.
Still, political and public pressure continues to mount. Dutch Jewish advocacy groups have also joined calls for a visa ban, arguing that allowing West to perform would send the wrong message at a time when antisemitism is on the rise across Europe.
The debate has reignited broader questions about the balance between freedom of expression and accountability for public figures whose words may incite hatred or division.
As the June concert dates approach, Dutch authorities are expected to face increasing pressure to make a final decision. Whether West will be allowed to perform remains uncertain, but the controversy has already become another flashpoint in the rapper’s turbulent and increasingly polarising public life.
Mzansi Celebs
Court Finds Musa Khawula in Contempt Over Malema Claims
The South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has ruled that controversial blogger Musa Khawula is in contempt of court after he failed to apologise to Julius Malema and his wife, Mantoa Matlala-Malema.
The ruling follows an earlier court directive ordering Khawula to retract and apologise for defamatory remarks he made about the couple on social media. Despite the order, Khawula refused to comply.
As a result, the court handed down a 30-day direct imprisonment sentence, wholly suspended for 30 days on condition that he adheres to the court’s instruction. Should he fail to comply within that period, he faces arrest and enforcement of the sentence.
The matter stems from allegations made in February 2026, when Khawula claimed that Malema and his wife were heading for a divorce after more than a decade of marriage. In his posts, he alleged that Matlala-Malema had grown weary of her husband’s alleged infidelity and intended to leave what he described as a “stressful marriage.”
The court found these statements to be both unlawful and defamatory, ruling that they caused reputational harm to the couple.
In a move that further aggravated the situation, Khawula appeared to mock the court’s order. Instead of issuing an apology, he shared a clip from the song “Sorry” by Beyoncé, prominently featuring the repeated lyric “I ain’t sorry.”
He accompanied the post with a message directed at Malema, sarcastically stating: “Hi @Julius_S_Malema baby, please find the attached statement for your earliest convenience.”
Khawula doubled down on his stance, insisting he stood by his claims and would not apologise, despite the legal consequences hanging over him.
The case highlights the growing scrutiny around social media commentary and the legal risks of publishing unverified or defamatory claims online.
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