WAV Festival’s Content Creator Awards afterparty turns heads, Grace Mondlana wins big

As the Content Creator Awards came to a close at The Galleria in Sandton, it became apparent that the event had surpassed its original space. With numerous sponsors present, the Samsung Galaxy Content Creator Awards proved to be a logistical challenge. The event featured various brand activation stands, causing long queues and confusion among attendees, with some feeling that no stand was worth the wait.

The layout of the room did not help, as it was difficult to determine which brand was offering what and what guests received in return for engaging with them. After the awards ceremony, the evening took a turn for the better when the main show began. Hosted by comedian and nominee Mpho "Popps" Modikoane, the show featured a lineup of popular figures including Mama Ka Lo, Lasizwe, Cedric Fourie, six nominees from the 947 Sound of Tomorrow category, and dance performance choreographed by Benny Jnr.

Known for his fresh and witty delivery, Mpho Popps entertained the audience with his original material, which was also recorded for broadcast on eMedia-owned platform, eVOD. The highlight of the evening was Grace Mondlana's win in both the Trendsetter Award and the Samsung Galaxy Creator of the Year Award. Her prize package for the Creator of the Year Award totaled over R70,000.

Grace received three nominations and walked away with two awards, while the third, the BYD People's Choice Award, was awarded to Olwethu Ncapayi. This outcome demonstrated that even a social media influencer doesn't always secure every award, and that hard work and relatable content can also bring success.