Multifaceted South African television presenter, writer, and cultural commentator Siyabonga Ngwekazi, known as Scoop Makhathini, will be hosting the Metro FM Music Awards for the first time this May.
Scoop Makhathini joins his fellow Gqeberha native Luthando ‘LootLove’ Shosha on the stage, and both are known for their dynamic presenting styles. “To be teamed up with LootLove for me is quite serendipitous, and it's quite majestic,” he tells IOL Entertainment.
It’s hard for Ngwekazi to feel sentimental about hosting the Metro FM Music Awards with Shosha after all, when he was starting in his television career, she was in high school.
“We’ve come a long way, and I think it’s part of a bigger plan. I feel honoured to share this moment with her.”
For the presenter, the Metro FM Music Awards are all about the musicians, the directors of the videos, the people who do the wardrobe, and the producers. He just wants to be a great host who brings the show together.
“The people who are hosting have a great hand in the show, but they are not the makeup of the show. They are simply referees, officials. You will hear them, but they are not there to steal the show.”
Hosting a live event in a stadium, with the potential technical challenges like cold weather and sound buffering, can be tricky, but Ngwekazi isn’t worried about the things he can’t control.
“I’m just going to focus on what I can control—how I look, how I feel, and my delivery. As for technical stuff, that’s not my job. It’s not on me, and I’m not going to stress over it.”
Ngwekazi has previously hosted the awards Green Room in 2007, interviewing winners, and is now excited to be taking on the main stage. “Honestly, at this stage of my career, I think it's just fitting.
“I'm very excited to showcase my skills and talent in this climate of social media influences and showcase myself to this new generation.
“I think it's fitting nd I just feel like I'm the best person for the job. I'm not going to lie.”
The theme for the 2025 Metro FM Music Awards is “Crowning Greatness,” which celebrates royalty in music.
“It’s all about acknowledging and giving flowers to the icons,” explains Ngwekazi.
For his looks, Ngwekazi will be honouring his royal heritage, from traditional attire for the black carpet, and he is looking to work with South African designers.
“I want to highlight the incredible talent in our local fashion scene. Expect a mix of traditional and contemporary, and of course, a touch of royalty.
“It's not just crowning the musicians, it's also crowning royalty in the South African textile space, because music and clothes go hand in hand.”
Ngwekazi says fans can expect a great 2025 Metro FM Music Awards show.
“It’s about celebrating South African talent in all its forms—music, fashion, culture. This is a night to crown greatness, and I’m honoured to be a part of it.”
The Metro FM Music Awards 2025 take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga. The MMAs will officially air on SABC 1 and will be available for streaming on SABC+ + at 20:00pm.
IOL Entertainment