Lilongwe Buzz

Voting for this year's Maso Awards has commenced this morning following the release of the comprehensive list of nominees.

Voting is done via online: http: maso-awards.live/vote where over 230 people nominated in about 40 categories are expected to battle it out.

Different outstanding people, including creatives and innovators have been nominated in categories ranging from Best Song of the Year to Best Album of the Year, and Best Collabo of the Year to Best Video, and from Best Hip Hop Act to Best Producer of the Year.

Other categories are Best Upcoming Artist of the Year, Best Male Artist of the Year and Best Female Artist of the Year.

This year, the Maso Music Awards which celebrate outstanding individuals, companies and organizations that have made immense contributions to their respective sectors, will be celebrated under the theme, "Towards Exporting Arts for Social-Economic Growth and Development."

(Howard Mlozi reporting for Lilongwe Buzz )

music

Become A Great Public Speaker/Event Host

The art of public speaking, including making formal speeches, emceeing/hosting/directing events and ceremonies has become one of the popular trades where majority people, particularly media personalities, are venturing into in the country.

But just like many other trades, the art of public speaking requires specific techniques for one to be successful. I picked and summarized some of the valuable techniques of public speaking from a book called Writer’s Choice: Grammar and Composition by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill (Texas Edition). And the techniques are categorized into Verbal and Nonverbal techniques:

1. Verbal Techniques:

a). Pronunciation: Speaking clearly, pronouncing all the worlds correctly is important in public speaking, including making a speech and directing events. An MC, event host, public speaker or director of ceremonies who struggles to pronounce certain words is a turn off and is likely to lose business from both existing and potential clients.

b). Volume: As a director of ceremony/host/MC and speech maker you need to speak loudly enough so that everyone in the audience can hear you. Avoid murmuring or speaking low for this may not communicate your message to the audience.

c). Pace: Always speak at a moderate speed, but vary the rate; use pauses to convey your meaning.

d). Tone: Speak in a lively tone. Do not create dull moments when directing an event or making a speech because this may turn off the audience.

e). Emphasis: Always stress important words and ideas when making a speech or directing an event.

2. Non-Verbal Techniques:

f). Eye contact: Always make an eye contact with the people throughout your event/ceremony. Even when you are reading a speech be sure to look up often and make eye contact with your audience , especially at the beginning and the end of sentences.

g). Posture: Make sure you stand tall with your heard straight.

h). Facial Expression and Gestures: Vary your facial expressions to reflect what you are saying, and use natural gestures to reinforce your ideas or points.

I). Visual aids: For those making speeches, if appropriate for your topic, use charts, diagrams, graphs, or video clips to enhance your speech and to convey important information.

You may also add other techniques that you know in the comment box. Otherwise, I wish you a successful journey as a director of ceremony/event host, emcee and speech maker!

Article by Howard Mlozi reporting for Lilongwe Buzz

Aidfest and Kineo Survive Car Accident

One of the country's thriving youthful music duos, Aidfest Madness and Kineo Madness, who are signed under Madness Entertainment, have survived a car accident this morning in Kasungu district.

At the time we were publishing this article, Madness Entertainment was yet to make a former statement on the accident.

But scanty information gathered by the Lilongwe Buzz indicated that the two music stars escaped the accident with minor injuries while on their way to Nothern region for music assignments.

Meanwhile, fans have expressed their shock on the accident involving the popular duo of Amabwera Yekha fame.

Uyuyu Joe Ikon who is signed under Madness Entertainment wabwera ngati coming. His Ndafika song is a testament to his powerful coming to the music industry.