Mpoto Awards, formerly Mzuzu Awards, are annual entertainment awards held in Malawi to recognize excellence in music, film, media, and the arts in the northern region of the country, particularly in Mzuzu. Established to celebrate northern Malawian talent, the awards have become a platform for showcasing local artists, filmmakers, and cultural figures.
The event attracts established performers as well as upcoming creatives, with winners selected through public voting and panels of industry experts. Notable past recipients include Pop Young, Billy Kaunda, Merchar and cultural activists from the northern districts of Rumphi, Mzimba, and Karonga.
The Mpoto Awards were founded in the 2022 as part of a drive to show creativity in northern Malawi, which is sometimes overshadowed by events in the capital Lilongwe and the commercial city Blantyre. The awards expanded from music categories to include film, media personalities, sports figures, and community leaders.
The Mpoto Awards have featured a variety of categories such as:
This is the list of winners for major Mpoto Awards categories:
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The awards have promoted northern Malawian identity in the national arts industry. They have also provided opportunities for lesser-known artists to gain recognition at national and international levels. Media coverage from outlets such as Times Media and Zodiak Broadcasting Station has sped the prestige of the awards.