Get plugged in for 26th Samas

THE dates of the 26th annual South African Music Awards (Samas) have been announced.

The prestigious event will be held between August 3 and 7.

This year’s theme is “Forthakultcha”, and there will be four 30-minute episodes from August 3 at 9.30pm, with a 45-minute finale on August 7.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the event has moved from the Sun City Superbowl to the streaming platform My Muze by Vodacom and Mzansi Magic, Dstv channel 161.

The hosts will preside over the show while a star-studded assembly of guest presenters and panellists will keep the show moving, not to mention a string of artists to provide top-notch entertainment.

The nominees in the record of the year and music video of the year categories that are voted for by the public will be announced tomorrow on the Sama26 social media platforms and My Muze.

RISA chief executive Nhlanhla Sibisi said: “We look forward to the Sama26 virtual experience. Our teams are hard at work to deliver a show that we will all be proud of given the current state the world is in. I invite you all to tune in, plug in, and do it for the culture.”

Nomsa Philiso, director of local entertainment channels at M-net, added: “The South African Music Awards have always been a platform where talented Mzansi artists have been recognised for their excellence. As a channel that has a track record of showcasing local talent across several platforms, we are very proud to be partnering up with Sama26 to give our viewers front row seats to this virtual showpiece.”

* Catch the Sama26 between August 3 and 7 on Mzansi Magic (Dstv channel 161) at 9.30 pm and via streaming on My Muze.