The 2009 TVM Awards

The 2009 TVM Awards Analysis
by Hastings Maloya

They changed their slogan from "The Station for the Nation" to "Creating a World of Possibilities" and within a year Malawi Television (TVM) has slowly proven itself as one of the best TV stations in the SADC Region. They went on satelite, giving an opportunity to Malawians in other countries like Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique to watch their local TV channel. They brought in new personalities and new programming.

From their live "Good Morning Malawi" programme, to musical ones, religious, sports, cultural and then news bulletins, Malawi Television is now a family channel. They may have a lot more to improve but given the local situation, with limited resources and the political environment, TVM is worth watching. And they bring in new things and surprises.

Mid October 2009, an advert appeared on Malawi Television. It talked about the 2009 TVM Awards. The advert talked of plans to honour and award Malawians "Who have selflessly contributed to serving others without them realising". Most Malawians could not understand what these awards will really be about. It took time for TVM to exactly say what they had in stor for Malawi.

Mid December, TVM announced the date of the awards and the venue. Entry fees at MK15, 000 in advance and MK20, 000 on the door seemed on the higher side. But they must have done good marketing. Several companies came forward to support the event and the hall at the College of Medicine Sports Complex could not take all the prospective patrons. State President, Dr Bingu wa Mutharika was guest of honour.

The event, which was broadcast live on television was spiced by the perfomance of South African gospel diva, Rabecca Malope, Mganda dancers from Nkhatabay, Police Band and Joseph Tembo with his Groove Magic band.

Toast of the night was the awarding of the achievers in waht has to be labbled "the 2009 TVM 2009 Our People Our Pride Awards. The choice od awardees, which among others included a Mr Mkandawire who constructed a suspended Bridge in Rumphi, the guy who caught the Nachipanti vampire in Ndirande, the Pastor who started the orphan centre where Madonna adopted David. Stories associated with each awardeee were inspiring and so moving.

Wilson Moleni,a banker in Mzuzu says the show was beyond his expectations. He said he never expected something of that magnitude to take place in Malawi adding, it was inspiring especially on the ordinary Malawians that were awarded.

"It was a marvel to watch live on television. being the first of its kind, surely TVM has set a record and it will have a tough time to beat its own record it has set, said Moleni adding: "I liked the orderly flow of the events, including the effects that went with them."

And in his remarks, Acting Director General of Television Malawi Bright Malopa, said this was only a biggining of this to come, to which he received a round of applause maybe with the audience accepting that TVM is indeed creating a world of posibilities.

President Mutharika, whose BENITH Trust was the main sponsor said he was excited that ordinary Malawians could be recognised in this manner. He also pledged to support a 15-year old orphan who was among the award receipients with school and other basic needs.

Zimbabwean music icon, Oliver Mtukudzi was also supposed to perform but failed to come at the last minute due to sickness. but that did not affect the tone of the event.

The awards ceremony dwarfs other sort of events including the famous Entertainers of the year programme on Malawi Broadcasting Corporation.