By Rorisang Modiba
South African artist Tyla, real name Laura Seethal, won the Best New Artist and Best International Act awards at the BET Awards on Sunday night.
Tyla was also nominated for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist alongside giants like Beyoncé, a category that was won by SZA.
Her global hit “Water” was also nominated for the Viewers Choice Award.
Tyla shared her surprise at being named Best New Artist, calling it a “crazy” honour and dedicating the award to the African stars who came before her.
While not winning the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist category, Tyla won the Best International Act category, beating fellow South African Amapiano star Focalistic and Nigeria’s Ayra Starr.
Accepting the Best International Act Award, Tyla said: “I did not prepare anything but I just wanna say thank you so much to my tigers, my family, my team. Thank you to BET for always pushing the culture, I’m gonna be performing soon, so get ready.”
Tyla recently got people talking on social media regarding her racial identity and the controversy surrounding her use of the term “coloured” to describe herself.
When questioned about her identity on Breakfast Club Power 105.1 FM, her management stopped her, asking that she not respond and asking the hosts to move on to another topic.
Limpopo-born artist Makhadzi also won a BET award in the Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act category, beating fellow South African Tyler ICU and other global artists.
Newly appointed Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, congratulated the winners on X, “Things are happening already, congratulations to both ladies,” he said.
He said his ministry will not be content only with congratulating artists and creatives but they will unearth more Tyla’s & Makhadzi’s.
Pictured above: Tyla.
Source: Instagram
