Lira was among the winners at the Drum Darlings

Drum hosts its first Darling Awards

You magazine's black adopted sister held its own version of the "You Spectacular" awards called Drum Darling Awards. The ceremony was held on Thursday night and was graced by celebrities.

The ceremony was hosted by Highveld Stereo's Anele Mdoda and comedian Celeste Ntuli, the pair had the audience in stitches throughout the night. The event, held at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg was attended by socialist such as Khanyi Mbau, hand in hand with new boyfriend Tebogo Lerole. Also in attendance was former Generations star Nambitha Mpumlwana.

Still on Generations, Ruby Dikoe, the shebeen queen, was also present and gave retro Sophiatown Marabi performance on the night. The awards according to drum are meant to honor legends and celebrities who have shown brilliance in their craft and keep the audience inspired. Recipients of the wards range from musicians, actors to radio personalities.

The awards have three categories which are selected by a panel of judges, these are the Posthumous Awards, the Drum Legend Award and the Lifetime Achievement Awards. The rest of the wards are voted for by Drum magazine readers.

The inaugural event saw the late jazz songstress Mama Afrika, Mariam Makeba take the Posthumous Award. Peter Magubane took home the very first Drum Legend Award. Veteran musician Hugh Masekela was honored with a lifetime achievement award. MC's for the night, Anele Mdoda and Celeste Ntuli used the moment to take a jibe at Pearl Thusi, suggesting that she should have been given the lifetime achievement award instead, seeing that she has done just about everything in the entertainment industry before she's even turned 30, much to the laughter of the audience.

Like many awards ceremonies, celebrities and wannabes often gab them as opportunities to make their presence felt, and Drum Darlings was no different. In attendance was also coll couple Minnie Dlamini and her boyfriend, Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana captain, Itumeleng Khune. The pair looked elegant on the night. Also seen in the audience was Lalla Hirayama and Thembi Seete who looked really beautiful in a white dress.

Another individual who seized the moment was former posters winner Thembisile Ntaka. Ntaka was also on the performers line up for the night. She wowed the audience with her cover of late pop idol Brenda Fassie's 'My Black President'

As much as awards ceremonies in the entertainment industry are about the now people, the it people, 'wannabes' and 'has beens' also see them as opportunities to launch and relaunch themselves. It was therefore not a surpass when former Jam Alley presenter Vinolia "V-Mash" Mashego was also among the audience. Maybe she's on her way back into the entertainment industry.

Overall, it was well planned event and was supported by big name celebrities, also, Drum having its own awards was also a good idea and about time they had their own.