The 2024 DStv Content Creator Awards are just around the corner, and as the ultimate celebration of African creators, they shine a light on those who have kept us entertained throughout the year.
This year, the talented Anele Mdoda will take the stage as host, promising an unforgettable night of entertainment. As the big day approaches, Anele offers fans an exclusive glimpse into what they can expect from this year’s ceremony and shares her passion for supporting content creators across the continent.
What can people expect from you being the ‘pilot’ of this year’s DStv Content Creator Awards?
I’ll tell you what, I have always been the advocate, the promotor, the pusher, the supporter, the wings beneath the wings (yes, that pun was fully intended) of talent and I am so glad that we have reached the point where we realise that the videos we watch every day on social media, that talent is not separate to that of radio presenters, television personalities, scriptwriters, comedians and all of that.
Digital content creators aren’t the ‘little people’ anymore because they are also part of our everyday lives. To me, hosting the DStv Content Creator Awards is on the same calibre as hosting the SAFTAs or the SAMAs or the Grammys or the BETs – this is an important award show and that is why I will bring out all my strives as the captain.
What’s the secret to holding an event of this magnitude together from start to finish?
The secret is realising that no one is there to see me! If you think about flying a plane, the pilot is very important but, to be fair, it’s the journey itself, the in-flight entertainment, it’s the food, it’s the cabin crew and the people you meet along the way that make the journey. Will I be sitting next to a stranger and fall in love and we get married in Lake Como? A plane has to many journeys, so many thoughts, so many stories and so many backstories that a pilot essentially delivers a story from one destination to the next – and that’s what I am going to do at the DStv Content Creator Awards this year. I am carrying all of these stories and all of these hopes and dreams on one plane and by job is simply to take it from A to B to Z.
How do you think content creation has changed the landscape of how we consume content?
Just 10 years ago, I had to switch on a TV to be entertained. Now, I jump onto TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and a South African would have just uploaded a piece of content that will crack me up. What this has done well for the psyche of creatives is that it’s not important if the content is perfect, just put it out there. I was speaking about this the other day with people who have watched the industry evolve over the past 20 years, we wanted everything to be perfect from the hair, the make-up, the nails, the lighting. Now, if you look at somebody like Papi Nicetingz, he plays four characters and they are absolutely hilarious. It reminds me of actors like Eddie Murphey in ‘Coming 2 America’ or Tyler Perry or Leon Schuster. Now, what we have said to the world is that WE are Leon Schuster, YOU are Jim Carrey or Tyler Perry and we can play five roles in one skit and no one is going to think you have gone mad or you can’t do it. Content creation has given us such a ‘can do’ attitude and I love it.
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What kind of content do you love to watch?
I have no preference. I watch EVERYTHING. My favourite content is cooking. I can watch cooking videos all day. I love dancing videos, I love videos with babies and I love watching skits. I love what Nina Hastie does, what Nadia Jaftha does. I like Robot Boii and JamJam the comedian. My algorithm loves me! I get all the good stuff.
Why do you think the DStv Content Creator Awards are important?
The DStv Content Creator awards are important because this art is no different to theatre, to film or TV and the Netflix of it all. My phone has 80% of my attention daily. I watch a lot of TV and I still consume more content on my phone so, for the zeitgeist, for the feeling, for the psyche of the country, it’s important for us to reward content creators because they are putting the country on the map. We are the dancing capital of the world.
Jason Derulo comes to South Africa and he wants to dance with Robot Boii on stage, all because Robot Boii started doing content long ago. Primo and Bontle continuously put South Africa on the map. We have our problems, but when it comes to creativity, when it comes to humour, wit and talent, South Africa is top two (and not number two).
The 2024 DStv Content Creator Awards are shaping up to be a landmark event, combining a stellar lineup, an epic afterparty, and the chance to discover new talent. This year’s ceremony promises to be a remarkable celebration of creativity, innovation, and digital excellence on South Africa’s social calendar.
