Sha Sha makes history for Zimbabwe at BET Awards 2020

By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka

Zimbabwe burst with Zimbabwean pride at the weekend when Sha Sha made history after winning the first-ever BET Award for the country in as many years.

“What just happened!!! A BET thank you! My people back at home all over the word man,” Sha Sha tweeted.

The 25-year-old singer won Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act at a virtual award show that “celebrated not only its 20th anniversary, but also the increased focus currently on the Black community and culture”.

According to CNN, “The show kicked off with teen gospel singer Keedron Bryant, 12, offering a powerful performance of his viral hit, “I Just Wanna Live.”

“It then segued into Chuck D and Flavor Flav of Public Enemy performing an updated rendition of their classic 1989 hit, “Fight The Power,” with Nas, Black Thought, Rapsody and more artists joining.

“The theme of Sunday’s show — “Our Culture Can’t Be Canceled — comes at a time of cultural unrest over racial injustice in the wake of the death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police.

Host Amanda Seales, a comic and actress on “Insecure,” referenced the show’s virtual production due to the coronavirus pandemic.

That said Zimbabwe’s international act Sha Sha was among the class of 2020 at the BET Awards including the likes of Beyonce, Meagan Thee Stallion, and a host of others.

The South Africa based Amapiano singer did the nation proud as she put Zimbabwe on the international map despite setbacks back home.

She beat Rema (Nigeria), Celeste (UK), Young T & Bugsey (UK), Hatik (France), and Stacy (France).

Born Charmaine Mapimbiro, Sha Sha was raised in Mutare before she relocated to South Africa where she is signed with record producer DJ Maphorisa.

Sha Sha’s big break was when she featured on Akulaleki by Samthing Soweto, Nge Thanda Wena by Mlindo The Vocalist, and Scorpion Kings’ song We Mama.

For Shona non-speakers Sha Sha loosely translates to genius. Yes Sha Sha spurred another whirlwind celebration on social media as Zimbabweans bask in the glory of BET Award gong.

See the full list of winners for the 2020 BET Awards below.

A full list of nominees follows below. Check back for updates on all the winners.

Album of the Year

“Cuz I Love You,” Lizzo

“Fever,” Megan Thee Stallion

“Homecoming: The Live Album,” Beyoncé

“I Used to Know Her,” H.E.R.

“Kirk, “DaBaby

“Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial,” Roddy Ricch *WINNER

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist

Beyoncé

H.E.R.

Jhene Aiko

Kehlani

Lizzo *WINNER

Summer Walker

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist

Anderson .Paak

Chris Brown *WINNER

Jacquees

Khalid

The Weeknd

Usher

Best Group

Chloe x Halle

City Girls

EarthGang

Griselda

JACKBOYS

Migos *WINNER

Best Collaboration

Chris Brown Ft. Drake, “No Guidance” *WINNER

DJ Khaled ft. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend, “Higher”

Future ft. Drake, “Life Is Good”

H.E.R. ft. YG, “Slide”

Megan Thee Stallion ft. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign, “Hot Girl Summer”

Wale ft. Jeremih, “On Chill”

Best Male Hip Hop Artist

DaBaby *WINNER

Drake

Future

Lil Baby

Roddy Ricch

Travis Scott

Best Female Hip Hop Artist

Cardi B

Doja Cat

Lizzo

Megan Thee Stallion *WINNER

Nicki Minaj

Saweetie

Video of the Year

Chris Brown Ft. Drake, “No Guidance”

DaBaby, “Bop”

DJ Khaled ft. Nipsey Hussle & John Legend, “Higher” *WINNER

Doja Cat, “Say So”

Megan Thee Stallion ft. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign, “Hot Girl Summer”

Roddy Ricch, “The Box”

Video Director of the Year

Benny Boom

Cole Bennett

Dave Meyers

Director X

Eif Rivera

Teyana “Spike Tee” Taylor *WINNER

Best New Artist

DaniLeigh

Lil Nas X

Pop Smoke

Roddy Ricch *WINNER

Summer Walker

YBN Cordae

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational

Fred Hammond, “Alright”

John P. Kee ft. Zacardi Cortez, “I Made It Out”

Kanye West, “Follow God”

Kirk Franklin, “Just for Me” *WINNER

PJ Morton ft. Le’Andria Johnson & Mary Mary, “All In His Pain”

The Clark Sisters, “Victory”

Best Movie

“Bad Boys for Life”

“Dolemite Is My Name”

“Harriet”

“Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé”

“Just Mercy”

“Queen & Slim” *WINNER

Best Actress

Angela Bassett

Cynthia Erivo

Issa Rae *WINNER

Regina King

Tracee Ellis Ross

Zendaya

Best Actor

Billy Porter

Eddie Murphy

Forest Whitaker

Jamie Foxx

Michael B. Jordan *WINNER

Omari Hardwick

Young Stars Award

Alex Hibbert

Asante Blackk

Jahi Di’Allo Winston

Marsai Martin *WINNER

Miles Brown

Storm Reid

Sportswoman of the Year

Ajeé Wilson

Claressa Shields

Coco Gauff

Naomi Osaka

Serena Williams

Simone Biles *WINNER

Sportsman of the Year

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Kawhi Leonard

LeBron James *WINNER

Odell Beckham Jr.

Patrick Mahomes II

Stephen Curry

BET HER Award

Alicia Keys, “Underdog”

Beyoncé ft. Blue Ivy, WizKid & Saint Jhn, “Brown Skin Girl” *WINNER

Ciara ft. Lupita Nyong’o, Ester Dean, City Girls & La La, “Melanin”

Layton Greene, “I Choose”

Lizzo ft. Missy Elliott, “Tempo”

Rapsody ft. PJ Morgan, “Afeni”

Viewer’s Choice Award

Chris Brown Ft. Drake, “No Guidance”

DaBaby, “Bop”

Future ft. Drake, “Life Is Good”

Megan Thee Stallion ft. Nicki Minaj, “Hot Girl Summer” *WINNER

Roddy Ricch, “The Box”

The Weeknd, “Heartless”

Best International Act

Burna Boy (Nigeria) *WINNER

Innoss’B (DRC)

Sho Madjozi (South Africa)

Dave (U.K.)

Stormzy (U.K.)

Ninho (France)

S.Pri Noir (France)

Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act

Rema (Nigeria)

SHA SHA (Zimbabwe) *WINNER

Celeste (U.K.)

Young T & Bugsey (U.K.)

Hatik (France)

Stacy (France)