Tyla arrived, but where were Mzansi’s biggest stars at SAMA32?

Fresh by Caddy (Teboho Tsotetsi) and Munaka Muthambi teamed up as the official red carpet hosts for the 32nd South African Music Awards (SAMA32)

The red carpet at the 32nd South African Music Awards (SAMA32) Homecoming Edition proved that there is still a long way to go when it comes to getting the awards show experience right.

From the low attendance of Mzansi celebrities to the block of red squares that passed as a carpet and the lack of order, the SAMA32 red carpet was filled with more than a few holes.

The red carpet officially opened at 5.00pm, while the awards show was scheduled to start at 8.00pm. But with guests and celebrities travelling into Sun City, faces only started appearing on the carpet from around 6.00pm.

Delays are certainly nothing new. By now, a familiar pattern has developed: some artists stick to their allocated times, while others arrive closer to showtime, leaving media scrambling to secure those final interviews before heading into the venue.

SAMA32 , however, threw another spanner in the works with the arrival of two-time Grammy Award-winning star Tyla.

In the absence of anyone seemingly managing the flow of the red carpet, the backstage production crew came in to halt interviews in anticipation of Tyla's arrival.

First, it was: "She's five minutes away." Then: "Where is she now?" Eventually, someone was loudly shouting for everyone to get off the carpet.

No superstar ever travels alone, of course. So before the public even got a glimpse of Tyla, there were photographers, crew members, her entourage and management making their way onto the carpet.

The sheer number of "move backs" being shouted made it seem as though a swarm of fans was about to descend on the carpet.

The ushering and crowd management carried out by SAMA32 executive producer Luphumlo "Lupi" Ngcayisa during Tyla's walk should arguably have been in place from the moment the red carpet opened.

It raises the question: is this level of crowd control only reserved for international stars?

Mzansi loves Tyla, and it is no secret that every media publication would have wanted the opportunity to interview her. However, it had already been made clear that she would not be doing interviews.

Newsroom Afrika attempted to go live for an interview. Still, the interaction was cut short before they could even get through two questions, with the crew being ushered away, and not exactly in the politest manner.