Known as the Grammys of South Africa, the South African Music Awards (SAMA) now in their 22nd year were held in KwaZulu-Natal at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) last Saturday. The prestigious event attracted many industry executives; legendary musicians, up and coming musicians and SAMA nominees who all came to witness who would be crowned as winners in the various categories.
The biggest winner of the night was the Eastern Cape born crooner Nathi Mankayi who walked away with five awards followed by Black Coffee winning four. Among his awards the celebrated DJ was given a special award, the International Achievement Award.
- Advertisement -
Mankayi was crowned the Male Artist of the Year while Zonke Dikana bagged the Female Artist of the Year award. A relative new artist to the South African entertainment scene Emtee managed to clinch two of the evening’s biggest awards Best Rap Album and Record of the Year which was voted by the public.
- Advertisement -
Notable Gospel wins of the night went to Sfiso Ncwane who won three awards for Best Selling Overall Music Downloads for Bayede Baba; Best Music Download Ring back tone – Sfiso Ncwane (Bayede Baba). Best Selling Overall Music Download – Sfiso Ncwane (Bayede Baba). Ayanda Ncwane, Sfiso’s wife who is also his manager went up to receive the awards on behalf of her husband. She shared this on her Facebook page about the wins:
“Hardwork, dedication, focus, trusting in God, being faithful to Him and His principles (giving to the poor , paying tithes, loving your enemies, forgiving ) , humbleness, fear of God, avoiding people’s negativity and critics, Now with This combination here and this attitude, am telling you not even the sky will be your limit. Thank you South Africa and Africa for the dear love and strong support you keep showing Sfiso Ncwane.” Ayanda is applauded by many for the continual support she gives to her husband. We can only pray that many couples will follow in their footsteps to remain together no matter the storms. The entertainment industry is known for short lived marriages.
- Advertisement -
Another Gospel winner was Ntokozo Mbambo who won an award for: Best Contemporary Faith Music Album.
Here is the full list of winners for the 22nd Annual South African Music Awards:
Album of the Year (served hot by Nescafe) – Black Coffee – Pieces of Me
Duo or Group of the Year – Big Nuz – For the Fans
Female Artist of the Year (Brought to you by Metro FM):
Zonke – Work of Heart
Male Artist of the Year (Brought to you by Umhlobo Wenene FM):
Nathi – Buyelekhaya
Newcomer of the Year (Supported by Apple Music):
Nathi – Buyelekhaya
Best Rock Album – Desmond & the Tutus – Enjoy Yourself
Best Pop Album (Brought to you by 5FM) – Tresor – VII
Beste Pop Album (Afrikaans) – Karlien van Jaarsveld – My Hartjie
Best Adult Contemporary Album – Judith Sephuma – One Word
Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album – Elvis Blue – Êrens in die Middel van Nêrens
Best African Adult Album – Dizu Plaatjies & Friends – Ubuntu – The Common String
Best Alternative Album – Petite Noir – La Vie Est Belle/Life is Beautiful
Best R&B/Soul/Reggae Album -Nathi – Buyelekhaya
Best Rap Album – Emtee – Avery
Best Kwaito Album (Brought to you by Ukhozi FM) – Big Nuz – For the Fans
Best Dance Album – Black Coffee – Pieces of Me
Best Traditional Faith Music Album – TYGC Family – The Journey Begins
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album – Ntokozo Mbambo – Spirit and Life
Best Maskandi Album (Brought to you by Ukhozi FM and KUMISA) – Imithente – Ichakijana
Best Jazz Album (Brought to you by Metro FM) – Marcus Wyatt & the ZAR – One Night in the Sun Jazz Orchestra
Best Classical and/or Instrumental Album – Wouter Kellerman – Love Language
Best Live Audiovisual Recording – Jimmy Dludlu – Live at Emperors Palace
Best Collaboration – Dbn Nyts ft. Zinhle Ngidi – Shumaya & Trademark
Best Music Video of the Year – Jack Parow & Freshly Ground Army of One
Best Produced Album of the Year – Zahara – Country Girl
Best Engineered Album of the Year – Black Coffee – Pieces of Me
Best Remix of the Year – DJ Sliqe – Do Like I Do Remix
Special Awards:
International Achievement Award – Black Coffee
Lifetime Achievement Awards (Brought to you by Telkom)– Nana Coyote (posthumous award), Bhekumuzi Luthuli (posthumous award), Roger Lucey
Best Selling Albums and Music Downloads of the Year
Best Selling Album – Nathi (Buyelekhaya)
Best Selling DVD – Joyous Celebration (Volume 19: Back to the Cross)
Best Selling Overall Music Download – Sfiso Ncwane (Bayede Baba)
Best Selling Music Download (Ring-back Tone) – Sfiso Ncwane (Bayede Baba)
Best Selling Full-track Music Download – Nathi (Nomvula)
Sampra Award:
Highest Radio Airplay of the Year – DBN Nyts (Shumaya)
Samro Award:
Highest Radio Airplay Composers’ Award – Samkele Maphumulo, Kabelo Masekane, Cebo Ngcobo, Wanda Shabalala and Lwazi Yokwana for Shumaya by Dbn Nyts
Capasso Award:
Best Selling Digital Download Composers’ Award – Sfiso Ncwane (Bayede Baba)
Amstel Record of the year – Roll Up by Emtee
