The South African Music Awards return to KZN after 8 years
SOUTH Africa’s premier music showcase has found a new home for the next three years.
The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) said the South African Music Awards (Samas) will return to Durban after eight years.
Previously hosted in Johannesburg, the music, fashion and lifestyle event will be brought to KZN following a partnership between Sama and the KZN Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs.
The event will be held at the Durban ICC on November 17 and 18 and broadcast live on SABC1.
“It’s an honour to partner with the KZN province for what will be a crucial milestone in the Sama history as we build up to 30 years of the awards and democracy in South Africa.
“A lot of thought and planning has gone into ensuring #SAMA29 is a memorable one for all stakeholders involved, especially the lifetime achievers and musicians who have given their all to put out their best work and stand out among the pack,” said RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi.
MEC Siboniso Duma said the move was an effort to “bolster the economy and tourism within the province”.
“The majority of people back home are excited that we are here for this historic announcement.
“I am happy to announce that we have partnered with RiSA to host the prestigious South African Music Awards (Samas) for the next three years as part of our efforts to bolster the economy and tourism within the province and heighten our focus on the arts and creative industry,” Duma said.
He added that hosting the event would help position KZN as a premium brand and a must-visit destination.
Speaking more about the positive impact hosting big events had on the tourism sector, he said it increased hotel occupancy, led more patrons to restaurants and helped car hire services and shuttles.
“Hosting the Samas will have impactful economic spin-offs for the province of KwaZulu-Natal.”
The 29th edition build-up will include various activations and activities that will touch a large cross section of the host province, as well as three other cities outside of KZN.
Leading the Samas nominations pack this year is the late AKA, with six nods for his album, Mass Country.
The rapper is nominated in the categories Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Engineered Album, Best Collaboration (twice, for Company and Lemons) and Best Produced Music Video.
K.O follows with five nominations. Sjava’s Isibuko album earned him a spot in the fiercely contested Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Produced Album and Best Engineered Album, while Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa earned four and three nominations, respectively, and two more nods for their collaboration as Scorpion Kings.
The announcements were made at the Soweto Theatre in Jabulani, and hosted by television personality Nomalanga Shozi.
Sibisi congratulated the nominees: “We are proud to present the class of SAMA29 who over a 14-month period put out some of the best tunes, collaborations and music videos in the country.
“We commend their artistry, resilience and tenacity that have led to them rising to the top and positioning themselves to be in line for the highest music accolade South Africa can bestow on an artist.”
At the main event, nominees are set to take the stage by storm with a series of epic, never-to-be-repeated performances, as the nation watches its finest talent at work.