AFRICA’S INSPIRATIONAL YOUNG TRAILBLAZERS RECOGNISED IN NOMINATIONS FOR MTV BASE LEADERSHIP AWARD

Johannesburg/, 22 May 2014 : Five of Africa’s inspiring trailblazers have been nominated for the inaugural “MTV Base Leadership Award ” created by International Media Networks Africa and MTV Base as part of the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) KwaZulu-Natal .

The MTV Africa Music Awards is brought to you by KwaZulu-Natal Province in association with Absolut & The City of Durban . South Africa Tourism is also a key partner for the MAMA .

VIMN Africa’s flagship channel MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) is bringing the MTV Africa Music Awards KwaZulu-Natal , its spectacular awards show and music celebration, to South Africa for the first time in 2014. The awards take place at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC), on Saturday 7 June.

The MTV Base Leadership Award is awarded to a young African under the age of 35 who, through their leadership and contribution, is making a positive impact towards the growth and development of Africa across a broad spectrum of disciplines. The award is one of three new “lifestyle” awards, including the “Personality of the Year ” and “Transform Today by Absolut ”, created in 2014 to further reflect the aspirations of Africa’s youth.

The nominees for the “ MTV Base Leadership Award ” are Ashish Thakkar (Tanzania); Humphrey Nabimanya (Uganda); Ludwick Marishane (South Africa); Dr Sandile Kubheka (South Africa) and Toyosi Akerele (Nigeria).

Commented Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks Africa, “We are delighted to recognise the achievements of these extraordinary and inspirational young individuals who are working every day to make positive change on the African continent.”

Ludwick Marishane (South Africa) is the founder CEO of Headboy Industries and is South Africa’s youngest patent-filer after having invented DryBath® at the age of 17. In 2011 he was named as the best student entrepreneur in the world (Global Champion of the Global Student Entrepreneurs Awards). That same year, Google named him as one of the 12 brightest young minds in the world. In 2013 TIME Magazine named him as one of their “Top 30 under-30 people that are changing the world”. He holds a Bachelor of Business Science, majoring in finance and accounting from the University of Cape Town.

Toyosi Akerele (Nigeria) is the CEO of Rise Networks, Nigeria’s leading public and private sector funded social enterprise committed to wholesome youth and education development. Akerele is passionate about youth development and national transformation. She is an alumnus of the US Government’s International Visitor Leadership Programme for emerging leaders and was described by American First Lady Michelle Obama as one of her personal inspirations. The RISE National Youth Forum, the flagship project of RISE Networks, has attracted hundreds of thousands of Young People in more than 20 Nigerian States in the last five years .

Dr Sandile Kubheka (South Africa) completed his MBChB degree at the College of Health Sciences at the age of 20, making him the youngest graduate in the college’s history. Kubheka, who hails from Newcastle, South Africa, attained a distinction in obstetrics and gynaecology. He was selected by his classmates to receive the Yashiv Sham Bursary for having compassion and caring qualities and the Enid Gordon Jacob Good Fellowship Prize for character and good conduct. Kubheka is serving his internship at Grey’s Hospital in Maritzburg and wants to register for a Masters of Medicine degree, specialising in internal medicine and later in endocrinology.

Ashish Thakkar (Tanzania), founder and owner of the Mara Group, is an entrepreneur who founded his first business in 1996 at the age of 15 with a $5,000 loan. Since then, he has driven the growth of the company from a small IT business in Uganda to the globally recognised multi-sector investment group that exists today. Through its investments, Mara Group now employs more 8,000 people across 19 African countries in sectors spanning technology, financial services, manufacturing, real estate and agriculture. He is passionate about empowering young entrepreneurs and founded the Mara Foundation in 2009 to foster and support emerging entrepreneurs.

Since 2004, Humphrey Nabimanya (Uganda) has been a HIV/Aids activist, advocating for safe sexual behaviour among Ugandan youth. In 2007, he started hosting a trail-blazing youth talk show on NBS TV. This led to MIX UP which invites role models, celebrities and successful people to inspire the young people. In 2010, he was recognised by the Young Achiever’s Awards as one of Uganda’s most influential young leaders in the film and television category for his role in shaping young people’s destiny and for advocating for responsible citizenship. Nabimanya is the founder of Reach a Hand Uganda, a platform for young people to express themselves and acquire knowledge and skills to enable them make informed decisions in life.

The 2014 MAMA is set to feature stunning performances from African and international artists, including the awards’ signature collaborations between artists of different genres and cultures – a high point of every show. The MTV Africa Music Awards KwaZulu-Natal will air live across the continent at 21:00 CAT on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and MTV (DStv Channel 130). The show will be amplified on radio by media partners Gagasi FM , Yfm and Capricorn FM .

The winner of the MTV Base Leadership Award is chosen by MTV Base . Voting in the music categories is open at www.mtvbase.com and closes on midnight on 4 June 2014. Voting for Song of the Year closes during the show on 7 June.

For more information on the MTV Africa Music Awards KwaZulu-Natal supported by Absolut & The City of Durban , please go www.mtvbase.com , like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MTVBaseVerified , follow us on Twitter @MTVBaseAfrica or join us on Tumblr at mtvmama.tumblr.com . To join the conversation about the awards please use the hashtag #MTVMAMA.

ENDS

Further Information For further information, high resolution imagery or downloadable video, please go to www.mtvbase.com/mini/mama14-press or contact:

MTV/MTV Base Maria McCloy/Alison Reid Email: [email protected] /[email protected] Tel: +27 11 428 2941/+33 385 300636

About The MTV Africa Music Awards First staged in 2008, the MTV Africa Music Awards has recognised the talent of musicians from across sub-Saharan Africa, rewarding iconic artists such as 2Face Idibia, Big Nuz, HHP, P-Square, Liquideep, D’Banj, Lira, Nameless, Wahu, Fally Ipupa, Cabo Snoop, Zebra & Giraffe, and many more. The 2014 awards are open to all artists whose music videos have been accepted for airplay on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) or MTV (DStv Channel 130) during the qualifying period 20 March 2013 to 19 March 2014.

About MTV With a global reach of more than a half-billion households, MTV is the cultural home of the millennial generation, music fans and artists, and a pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people. With more than 60 channels seen in more than 600 million households worldwide, MTV is the world’s largest television network and the leading multimedia brand dedicated to youth culture.

About KwaZulu-Natal KwaZulu-Natal Province is South Africa’s leading tourist destination and a magnet for visitors from continental Africa and all points of the globe. Offering a unique blend of sophistication, cultural diversity and excitement in the most breath taking setting imaginable, KwaZulu-Natal is an enticing, spectacular and fascinating consumer and business tourism destination, flanked on one side by the warm Indian Ocean and – on the other – by soaring peaks.

About Pernod Ricard Pernod Ricard South Africa is one of the leading spirits and wine companies in South Africa. Pernod Ricard South Africa was established in 1994 and is a part of the Global Pernod Ricard Group which holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector including iconic brands like Absolut Vodka, Jameson Whiskey and Chivas Regal. Globally, 51 out of every 100 premium bottles sold are Pernod Ricard brands.

About The City of Durban The City of Durban is honoured to be host city to the prestigious MTV Africa Music Awards and we like to take this opportunity to invite our colleagues from the rest of Africa to celebrate Africa’s finest talent in our sub-tropical paradise. The staging of an event of this magnitude certainly highlights the growing track record of international events that have been successfully held by the city and events of this nature play an important role in positioning Durban as a leading events and tourist destination. Durban combines the perfect ingredients to make your visit special, we have world class facilities, a vibrant blend of cultures, unique eKasi Lifestyle, extreme adventure, hot nightlife, exotic cuisine and a breath-taking coastline of superb beaches, that create the warmth and diversity of this amazing city. We look forward to an unforgettable MAMA in Durban and would like all our guests to leave with the warmest of memories.