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This is one of our most popular and fun editions, in which we reflect on the year that was with all its cultural highs and lows. This year, the rest of the world continued to chase after our bright stars who have been making incredible waves around the globe.
In fashion, Thebe Magugu became the first African to win the Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy Prize. Rich Mnisi won the Essence Emerging Designer of the Year award. Athi-Patra Ruga collaborated with the House of Dior to design two bags for its Dior Lady Art Project.
Thula Sindi launched the first of its kind AfricaRise emporium in Sandton City. Palesa Mokubung’s label Mantsho collaborated with H&M for its first African collaboration. And Lukhanyo Mdingi presented his collection at the New York Men’s Fashion Week.
Our Trevor Noah made history as the first African comedian to sell out Madison Square Garden in New York and also received a Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Album. And according to Forbes magazine, he is the fourth-highest-paid stand-up comedian in the world. And something that we're going to talk about for generations to come, the crowning of Zozibini Tunzi as Miss Universe 2019.
In music, some of our artists were handpicked by Beyoncé to collaborate on her Lion King-inspired album. She roped in Busiswa and Moonchild Sanelly with Lebohang “Lebo M” Morake and Anatii on production. Anatii went on to win the Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award at the Soul Train Awards for his work on Brown Skin Girl. Nakhane continues to make major moves and has taken his You Will Not Die tour to countries such as Brazil, Poland, Denmark, the US, Greece and Australia.
Next year he will feature on British composer Rachel Fuller’s album The Seeker – alongside Pete Townshend, Elton John and Emeli Sandé.
But no one had a year quite like Sho Madjozi’s. The John Cena hitmaker has been the topic of conversation on various American talk shows for the track.
She also won a BET award for Best New International Act and Best Female for southern Africa award at the African Muzik Magazine awards in Dallas, Texas.
This after she bagged the Newcomer of the Year and Female Artist of the Year awards at the SA Music Awards. Can’t say we didn’t see this one coming.
There’s a long list of incredible accomplishments we can be proud of, and certainly greater things to come as we wrap up an eventful decade.
