Cameroon’s Stanley Enow was the first winner of the 2014 MTV African Music Awards, aired live from the Durban International Convention Centre, in the southeastern city of Durban, taking the best new act prize.
South Africa’s afro-pop duo Mafikizolo took the best group award, while their track “khona” was voted song of the year. They beat other strong nominees including Nigeria’s popular R&B duo P-Square.
Nigerian afro-pop artist and producer Davido won the favourite artist of the year award.
He also took the best male artist prize while his compatriot, the multi-talented sensation Tiwa Savage took the best female artist award.
Sarkordie of Ghana was named the best hip-pop group.
Awards host, American stand up comic, film and television sensation Marlon Wayans expressed the wish for the “safe return” of the more than 200 Nigerian girls kidnapped by extremist Islamist group Boko Haram .
Wayans also paid tribute to anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela.
“Madiba had a profound impact on not only South Africa but on the entire world as a whole, so tonight we pay tribute to Mr Mandela,” said host Wayans.
