South African Music Awards

Annual music industry award ceremony

South African Music Award

Current: 30th South African Music Awards

Annual South African Music Awards Generic Logo

Awarded for| Outstanding achievements in the music industry of South Africa
Country| South Africa
Presented by| Recording Industry of South Africa
First award| 1995; 30 years ago (1995)
Website| samusicawards.co.za
Television/radio coverage
Network| SABC

The South African Music Awards (often simply the SAMAs) are the Recording Industry of South Africa's music industry awards, established in 1995. The ceremony is held annually, usually in late April or May, with the judging process starting in November of the previous year. The nominations are typically announced at the end of March. The winners receive a gold-plated statuette called a SAMA.[1]

The show has mostly been held at the Super Bowl in Sun City, with the exception of three years, and broadcast live on national broadcaster, SABC. The ceremony features live performances as once-off collaborations by a selection of nominees.

## Awards

[edit]

SAMA Award Statuette

As of the 26th SAMAs, in 2020, there are a total of 30 categories awarded. These categories change from year to year to accommodate changes in music styles and changes in popularity of already existing genres. These genres include adult contemporary, Afrikaans, classical, dance, faith, jazz, Kwaito, Maskandi, pop, rap, reggae, RnB, rock, soul, and traditional.

At times genres are grouped together into a single category based on their popularity amongst a certain demographic (e.g. Best Urban Artist nominees are often Hip Hop, African pop and Kwaito artists grouped together since these genres are popular amongst South Africans living in urban areas).

As of the 27th South African Music Awards, artists working in the Gqom and Amapiano genres will be considered in separate categories.[2]

### Top five awards

[edit]

These are the top five award categories of the SAMAs. They were first introduced at the ceremony in 1995, with exception of Album of the Year that was introduced in 2007.[3]

* Album of the Year
* Best Newcomer of the Year
* Best Female Artist of the Year
* Best Male Artist of the Year
* Best Duo or Group of the Year

### Audience awards

[edit]

The winners of the following SAMAs are not chosen by a panel of judges:

* Record of the Year: Determined by a public vote, traditionally by SMS

### Mobile download awards

[edit]

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (March 2016)

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## Eligibility and entry

[edit]

As per the committee guidelines, only citizens and permanent residents of South Africa are eligible for a nomination.[3]

This section needs expansion with:

* Detail eligibility
* Breakdown of entry criteria. You can help by adding to it. (March 2016)

|

## Adjudication process

[edit]

At the beginning of the adjudication process a Supervisory Committee is set up, it consists of two members from each of five "super genre" categories, which are Global Charts, Urban, Traditional, Technical and Jazz or Classical. This committee oversees the entire SAMA ceremony production process, along with the Steering, General Rules, and Vetting Committees. These committees are composed of unpaid volunteers from record companies and industry stakeholders. The judges are drawn from a wide spectrum to include journalists, critics, musicians, producers, and academics. There are five judges per genre category, based on the judge's field of expertise.[3] The judge's anonymity is protected by the Steering committee, who ensure the judge's do not influence each other.[4] The entire adjudication process takes place between September and February, with the nominees announced in March.

### Phase one

[edit]

The first phase takes place between late-September and December. The Steering Committee first determine the award categories, rules, and judging criteria for the entries. A panel of judges is elected and a call for entries takes place in November. The entries are vetted to comply with the committee rules, and genre guidelines.

### Phase two

[edit]

In this genre category phase, the judges receive a copy of the entries (either an album and DVD) by the end of December. The entries are scored against the criteria set by the Steering Committee. The score cards are submitted online, along with recommendations for the Top Five category nominees. The Top Five categories are nominated from the same pool of entries. An electronic judging system calculates the results, which are then audited by an independent firm at the end of January.

### Phase three

[edit]

This final phase of adjudication evaluates the Top Five categories. One judge from each genre category is selected to be part of the first round of voting. These judges select their top three entries, in their respective genres, taking into account the recommendations from other judges. The independent auditing firm ensures that a finalist in the Top Five has qualified for a nomination in their respective genre. Once the auditors have confirmed the Top Five finalist list, the last round of voting begins. All the judges participate in this round to determine the winners of each Top Five categories.

## Ceremonies

[edit]

The first awards ceremony was in 1995, there have been 30 editions to date.

Ceremony  | Date  | Most Awards  | Album of the Year  | Best Newcomer  | Best Female Artist  | Best Male Artist  | Best Duo or Group  | Host(s)  | Venue

|
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|
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|
|
|
|

1st SAMA[5] | 1995  |  | No Award  | Soweto String Quartet | Brenda Fassie | Jabu Khanyile | No Award  |  | Alberton City Hall
2nd SAMA[5] | 1996  |  | Qkumba Zoo | Vicky Sampson | Lebo M |  |
3rd SAMA[5] | 1997  |  | Revolution | Sibongile Khumalo | Johannes Kerkorrel | Ladysmith Black Mambazo |  |
4th SAMA[5] | 1998  |  | Jimmy Dludlu | Yvonne Chaka Chaka | Vusi Mahlasela | The Usual |  |
5th SAMA[6] | 18 May 1999  |  | Tasché | Brenda Fassie | Ringo Madlingozi | TKZee |  |
6th SAMA[7] | 30 March 2000  |  | Gloria Bosman | Busi Mhlongo | Jimmy Dludlu | Ladysmith Black Mambazo | Martin Jonas | Sun City Super Bowl
7th SAMA[8][9] | 5 April 2001  |  | Selaelo Selota | Miriam Makeba | Don Laka | Bayete and Jabu Khanyile |  | Sandton Convention Centre
8th SAMA[5][10] | 13 April 2002  |  | Ernie Smith | Judith Sephuma | Jimmy Dludlu | Bongo Maffin | Vusi Twala
Unathi Mankayi | Sun City Super Bowl
9th SAMA[11] | 6 April 2003  |  | Moses Khumalo | Sibongile Khumalo | Hugh Masekela
for album Time[12][13] | Mafikizolo |
10th SAMA[14] | 29 May 2004  |  | Adilah | Swazi Dlamini | Themba Mkhize | Mafikizolo | Unathi Nkayi
Tshepo Maseko
11th SAMA[15] | 19 April 2005  |  | Simphiwe Dana | Thandiswa Mazwai | Themba Mkhize | Revolution |
12th SAMA[16] | 6 May 2006  | Judith Sephuma (3)  | Brickz | Judith Sephuma | Jimmy Dludlu | Bongo Maffin | Tumisho Masha
13th SAMA[17] | 14 April 2007  | Simphiwe Dana (4)  | The One Love Movement On Bantu Biko Street | Siphokazi | Simphiwe Dana | Vusi Mahlasela | Mafikizolo | Kabelo Mabalane
14th SAMA[18] | 3 May 2008  | Freshlyground (4)  | Ma' Cheri | Tasha Baxter | Karen Zoid | HHP | Freshlyground |
15th SAMA[19] | 2 May 2009  | Lira (4)  | Soul In Mind | Andile Mseleku | Lira | Abdullah Ibrahim | Soweto Gospel Choir | Trevor Noah
16th SAMA[20] | 16 April 2010  |  | Undisputed | Tshepo Mngoma | Lira | Black Coffee | Jaziel Brothers | Trevor Noah
17th SAMA[21] | 21 May 2011  | Professor (4)  | Fabrics Of The Heart | Locnville | Thandiswa Mazwai | Professor | Liquideep | Loyiso Bala | Montecasino
18th SAMA[22] | 29 April 2012  | Zahara (8)  | Loliwe | Zahara | Zahara | AKA | Mi Casa |  | Sun City Super Bowl
19th SAMA[23] | 11 May 2013  | Khuli Chana (3)  | Lost in Time | Toya Delazy | Kelly Khumalo | Khuli Chana | Freshlyground
20th SAMA[24] | 28 April 2014  | Mafikizolo (12)  | Reunited | Naima Kay | Zahara | Kabomo | Mafikizolo | [Iminam Tatiya]
SAMA XXI[25] | 19 April 2015  | Beatenberg (7)  | The Hanging Gardens of Beatenberg | Cassper Nyovest | Bucie | AKA | Beatenberg | HHP
SAMA22[26] | 4 June 2016  | Nathi (6)  | Pieces of Me | Nathi | Zonke | Nathi | Big Nuz | Somizi Mhlongo
Thando Thabethe | Durban International Convention Centre
SAMA23

[27]

| 27

May 2017

| Kwesta (6)  | AmaZulu | Amanda Black | Amanda

Blacks

| Kwesta | Black

Motion

| Somizi Mhlongo
Tumi Morake | Sun City Super Bowl
SAMA 24

[28]

| 2

June

2018

| Mafikizolo (6)  | Rose Gold | Shekhinah | Shekhinah | Prince Kaybee | Mafikizolo | Somizi Mhlongo

Dineo Ranaka Mpho Popps

SAMA 25

[29]

| 1

June

2019

| Black Coffee (5)  | Umqhele | Sho Madjozi | Sho Madjozi | Black Coffee | Black Motion  | Bob Mabena

Twasa Seoke

Melanie Bala

Khuli Chana

Mpho Popps

Nomzamo Mbatha

SAMA 26 | 3 August

7 August 2020

|  | Scorpion kings | Ndabo Zulu & Umgidi Ensemble  | Ami Faku | Prince Kaybee  | Ndabo Zulu & Umgidi Ensemble  | Dineo Langa and Donovan Goliath
SAMA 27 | 31 July 2021  | Kabza De Small (4)  | Once Upon A Time in Lockdown | Bucy Radebe  | Sho Madjozi | Kabza De Small  | Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa | Bontle Modiselle

Lawrence Maleka

SAMA 28 | 28 August 2022  | Chymamusique (3)  | Musique | Khanyisile Mthethwa  | Msaki | Chymamusique  | Reece Madlisa & Zuma  | Mpho Popps
Robot Boii
SAMA 29 | 16, 17 November 2023  | Kabza De Small (4)  | Lavish Worship \- Nontokozo Mbambo  | Myztro | Nontokozo Mbambo  | AKA  | Scorpion Kings  | DJ Sabby
Nomalanga Shozi  | SunBet Arena
SAMA 30 | 2 November 2024  | Tyla (4)  | Isimo \- Kabza De Small, Mthunzi  | Tyla  | Tyla  | uGatsheni | Kabza De Small and Mthunzi | Minnie Dlamini | Gallagher Convention Center
SAMA31 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

## Notable moments

[edit]

### Arthur Mafokate on-stage defiance (1995)

[edit]

At the 1st South African Music Awards, kwaito artist Arthur Mafokate performed a simulation of anal sex on a dancer. This was done as an act of defiance to the organisers, as he felt there was a need for a Kwaito Award. The following year the organiser introduced the award category.[16]

### Funky national anthem (1997)

[edit]

It had been three years since the first democratic elections in South Africa and a new national anthem had been introduced at the beginning of the 1997. At the 3rd South African Music Awards, popular kwaito-group Boom Shaka decided to re-create the anthem in a "funky" on-stage performance, that later caused a "public blacklash".[16]

### Brenda Fassie demanding her award (2001)

[edit]

Towards the end of the five-hour-long 7th South African Music Awards, Brenda Fassie accused a prominent journalist of being a homosexual \- using the derogatory slang word moffie. She went on to further accuse him of destroying her with the articles he published. At an after-party, she was seen fighting with Mandoza and demanding that he hand over his award as it was "her award".[16]

### First virtual reality live broadcast (2016)

[edit]

The SAMA22 was the first awards show to be broadcast live in its entirety in 360° video, with virtual reality made possible by Unreal Industries.[30]

### Discrimination Accusation (2019)

[edit]

Before the SAMA25, Simon Makgatholela, Kenny Makweng, and Ronee Sathekge, members of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC), launched a campaign criticising the SAMA for discrimination.[31] The group claimed the SAMA had "snubbed" them for 25 years over the fact the SAMA have never recognised "veterans" in the gospel genre, such as Oleseng Shuping, Nkosana Kodi, and Mojeremane Xale.[31] In response to the accusation, Recording Industry of South Africa CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi stated, "The Samas are open to all music and do not discriminate against any genre. We have invited them to explain why they feel we are discriminating against ZCC music."[31]

## See also

[edit]

* List of South African Music Award categories
* Metro FM Music Awards

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "SAMA History". South African Music Awards. Archived from the original on 20 March 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
2. ^ "The 2021 SAMAs will recognise Gqom and Amapiano as separate categories". News24. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
3. ^ a b c "SAMA Adjudication Process". South African Music Awards. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
4. ^ "It's SAMA time". City Press. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
5. ^ a b c d e "Past Winners". South African Music Awards. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
6. ^ Segerman, Stephen (19 May 1999). "The 5th FNB South African Music Awards". SA Rock Digest (17 ed.). Retrieved 16 March 2016.
7. ^ Segerman, Stephen (9 April 2000). "The FNB SA Music Awards 2000". SA Rock Digest (53 ed.). Retrieved 16 March 2016.
8. ^ "List of Sama winners". News24. 6 April 2001. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
9. ^ Segerman, Stephen (9 April 2001). "The SAMA Awards 2001". SA Rock Digest (101 ed.). Retrieved 16 March 2016.
10. ^ SAMA 8 Photos, RiSA, archived from the original on 11 May 2003, retrieved 17 March 2016
11. ^ South African Music Awards 2003, archived from the original on 30 March 2015, retrieved 16 March 2016
12. ^ Williamson, Nigel (26 April 2003). "Global Music Pulse". Billboard. p. 49.
13. ^ "South African Music Awards 2003, 06 April 03, Superbowl, Sun City". Archived from the original on 30 March 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
14. ^ Skosana, Welcome; Mphaki, Ali (6 June 2004). "South African Music Awards 2005". City Press. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
15. ^ "South African Music Awards 2005". SouthAfrica.info. 19 April 2005. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
16. ^ a b c d McCloy, Maria (12 May 2006). "Just another Sama night". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
17. ^ The 13th Annual South African Music Awards, Moshito, 17 April 2007, archived from the original on 25 February 2012, retrieved 16 March 2016
18. ^ "SAMA 2008: All the Winners!". Channel24. 5 May 2008. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
19. ^ "SAMA 2009: All the Winners". Channel24. 29 April 2009. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
20. ^ "16th Annual MTN South African Music Awards Winners". BizCommunity. 5 March 2010. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
21. ^ Coetzer, Diane (24 May 2011). "Professor, Liquideep, Thandiswa Mazwai, Locnville Win South African Music Awards". Billboard. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
22. ^ Dlamini, Mduduzi (2 May 2012). "Zahara on top of the world as she scoops 8 Samas". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
23. ^ Cloete, E (11 May 2013). "The Official MTN SAMA 2013 Winners List!". MTN Blog. Archived from the original on 20 March 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
24. ^ "Here are all the 2014 Sama winners". Channel24. 28 April 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
25. ^ "These are all the 2015 Sama winners". Channel24. 19 April 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
26. ^ "Here are all the 2016 Sama winners". Channel24. 4 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
27. ^ "Here are all the 2017 Sama winners | Channel24". m.channel24.co.za. 27 May 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
28. ^ "#SAMAs 2018: Full list of the winners from this year's awards". 3 June 2018.
29. ^ "FULL LIST | Sama nominees leave Mzansi split over the 'death of Kwaito'". TimesLIVE.
30. ^ "#SAMA22 will be the night of the stars on Saturday as South African stars come out to play". 1 June 2016.
31. ^ a b c Tjiya, Emmanuel (14 May 2024). "'We don't discriminate against ZCC'". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 18 October 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

South African Music Awards

Ceremony year|

* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Categories|

* Album of the Year
* Duo or Group of the Year
* Newcomer of the Year
* Music Video of the Year

Sponsors|

* MTN Group
* Recording Industry of South Africa

Venues|

* Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre
* Montecasino
* Sun City Superbowl

South Africa portal

* v
* t
* e

Music awards

Worldwide|

* Grammy Awards
* International Dance Music Awards
* International Rock Awards
* World Music Awards

Africa|

* 3Music Awards (GH)
* All Africa Music Awards
* Channel O Music Video Awards (RSA)
* Ghana Music Awards (GH)
* The Headies (NGR)
* MTV Africa Music Awards
* Namibian Annual Music Awards (NA)
* Nigeria Entertainment Awards (NGR)
* South African Music Awards (RSA)
* South African Hip Hop Awards (RSA)
* Tanzania Music Awards (TZ)
* Zim Hip Hop Awards (ZW)
* Zim Music Awards (ZW)

Americas|

* Academy of Country Music Awards (US)
* Alternative Press Music Awards (US)
* Americana Music Honors & Awards (US)
* American Country Countdown Awards (US)
* American Music Awards (US)
* Atlantis Music Prize (CAN)
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* Heat Latin Music Awards (US)
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* iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards (CAN)
* iHeartRadio Music Awards (US)
* Indigenous Music Awards (CAN)
* Josie Music Awards (US)
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* Multishow Brazilian Music Award (BRA)
* My VH1 Music Awards (US)
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* Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards (US)
* New Music Awards (US)
* People's Choice Awards (US)
* Polaris Music Prize (CAN)
* Premios Gardel (ARG)
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* Radio Disney Music Awards (US)
* Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (US)
* Rolling Stone en Español Awards (US)
* RPM Gold Leaf Awards (CAN)
* Saskatchewan Jazz Festival Special Recognition Award (CAN)
* SOCAN Songwriting Prize (CAN)
* Soul Train Music Awards (US)
* Stellar Awards (US)
* TEC Awards (US)
* Teen Choice Awards (US)
* Troféu Imprensa (BRA)
* Troféu Roquette Pinto (BRA)
* Urban Music Awards (US)
* Premios Tu Mundo (US)
* Western Canadian Music Awards (CAN)

Asia and
Oceania|

* Anugerah Industri Muzik (MLY)
* Anugerah Juara Lagu (MLY)
* Anugerah Musik Indonesia (IDN)
* Anugerah Planet Muzik (SIN, MLY, BRU, IDN)
* Aotearoa Music Awards (NZ)
* ARIA Music Awards (AUS)
* Awit Awards (PHL)
* Billboard Japan Music Awards
* City FM Awards (MY)
* Dahsyatnya Awards (IDN)
* Dedication Music Award (VN)
* Golden Disc Awards (KOR)
* Golden Melody Awards (TW)
* Japan Record Awards
* Japan Gold Disc Award
* MAMA Awards (KOR)
* Melon Music Awards (KOR)
* Myx Music Award (PHL)
* Korean Music Awards
* SCTV Awards (IDN)

Europe|

* Amadeus Austrian Music Awards
* Anděl Awards (CZ)
* BBC Music Awards (UK)
* Brit Awards (UK)
* Choice Music Prize (IRL)
* Classic Brit Awards (UK)
* Diapason d'Or (FRA)
* Danish Music Awards
* Echo Awards (GER)
* Edison Awards (NLD)
* Estonian Music Awards
* Eska Music Awards (POL)
* Global Awards (UK)
* Gradam Ceoil (IRL)
* Gramophone Award (UK)
* Grammis (SWE)
* Grand Prix du Disque (FRA)
* Heavy Music Awards (UK)
* Hungarian Music Awards
* Icelandic Music Awards
* Irish Music Television Awards
* Wind Music Awards (ITA)
* Kerrang! Awards (UK)
* Kraumur Awards (ISL)
* LOS40 Music Awards (SPA)
* Malta Music Awards (MLT)
* MAD Video Music Awards (GRE)
* M.A.M.A. Awards (LTU)
* Meteor Music Awards (IRL)
* Mercury Prize (UK)
* MOBO Awards (UK)
* MTV Europe Music Awards (EU)
* MTV Italian Music Awards
* Russian Music Awards (RUS)
* Music Industry Awards (BEL)
* MME Awards (EU)
* NRJ Music Awards (FRA)
* Nordic Council Music Prize (NORD)
* P3 Gull (NOR)
* PLAY - Portuguese Music Awards
* Porin Music Award (CRO)
* Premio Nacional de Música (SPA)
* Romanian Music Awards
* RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards (IRL)
* Sanremo Music Festival Awards (ITA)
* Scots Trad Music Awards (UK)
* Scottish Album of the Year Award (UK)
* Scottish Alternative Music Awards (UK)
* Scottish Music Awards (UK)
* Smash Hits Poll Winners Party (UK)
* Spellemannprisen (NOR)
* Swallow Music Awards (ARM)
* TMF Awards (BEL/NED)
* Victoires de la Musique (FRA)
* YUNA (UKR)
* ZAI Awards/Aurel Awards (SK)
* Zamu Music Awards (BEL)

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