The 12th Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) will be co-hosted by Nigerian comedian Bovi Ugboma and South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha on 9th May 2026 at the Eko Hotel and Suites. This marks a shift in the awards' history, as IK Osakioduwa steps down after hosting every edition since the ceremony's launch in 2013. Osakioduwa, who previously co-hosted with Vimbai Mutinhiri and mentored 16-year-old David Oke at the 11th edition, publicly endorsed the new hosts, saying: "@officialbovi and @nomzamo_m Congratulations, guys. I know you'll kill it. I'll be cheering for you." Bovi, reflecting on the role, stated, "The AMVCA stage is one of the biggest in Africa, and I don't take that lightly. I wasn't expecting it… I want to bring the energy, the laughs, and the magic that this night deserves."
Nomzamo Mbatha, known for her roles in Isibaya and Coming 2 America, as well as her current portrayal of Queen Nandi in Shaka iLembe, described the hosting role as an honour, saying, "African storytelling is at an all-time high, and it's an honour to be the one holding the mic while we celebrate the best of it." The 2026 AMVCA will introduce two new categories: Best Indigenous Language (North Africa) and Best Indigenous Language (Central Africa). Veteran actress Joke Silva has been named Head Judge, adding industry weight to the judging process. Atinuke Babatunde, Executive Head of Content and Channels at MultiChoice West Africa, emphasized the continental scope of African storytelling, citing Lagos, Nairobi, Dakar, and Johannesburg as key cultural hubs.
💡 NaijaBuzz is an AI-assisted news aggregator. This content is curated from third-party sources — NaijaBuzz is not the original publisher and is not responsible for the accuracy of source reporting. The NaijaBuzz Take is AI-assisted editorial opinion only, not established fact. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. NaijaBuzz does not endorse the views expressed in source articles.
