GOLDEN GIRL
Triple joy at the Samas for Shekhinah
● Greeted by ululating and a standing ovation, President Cyril Ramaphosa took to the SAMA24 stage to present a series of awards including the Lifetime achievement award and the International achievement award.
But it was Shekhinah Donnell who emerged as the biggest winner at last night’s South African Music Awards.
After being nominated for six awards, she won three — for best female artist, best newcomer and album of the year. Since its release in October last year, her debut album, Rose Gold, has been certified gold and the single Suited — inspired by fashion designer boyfriend Lungelo Xulu — has gone platinum.
Shekhinah entered Idols SA twice, and despite impressing the judges — Gareth Cliff said she should go straight to the top 10 after her audition at the age of 16, when she sang Amy Winehouse’s Valerie — she didn’t get beyond sixth place.
She opened for US R&B star John Legend on his South African tour last year, and talent-show appearances were distant memories as she walked on stage at Sun City last night to collect the most prestigious awards in the local music industry.
Mafikizolo, who were supplying Zambian fans with their Love Potion last night, missed the Samas, but they also scooped three awards — for best Afro pop album, group of the year and best engineered album.
Also walking away with a gong was Tresor, whose The Beautiful Madness got the nod for best pop album 10 years after the Congolese singer-songwriter arrived in South Africa and started working as a car guard.
“This was very unexpected . . . and I’m glad people are still listening to my album. I’m really grateful,” he said.
“This award just says I’m still doing something right, I’m still focused and putting in the work. This is a really great stamp for my music because it’s pop; it’s not really the dominant genre like hiphop, house or kwaito, so this is just cementing the brand.”
Rapper Shane Eagle — another winner who emerged from a reality TV show, in his case The Hustle, won the award for best hip-hop album for his debut offering, Yellow.
Lady Zamar beat out dance giants DJ Ganyani, Prince Kaybee, DJ Merlon and Mi Casa to win the award for best dance album. The only woman in the category, she won for her debut album, King Zamar, which features the hit songs Collide and My Baby.
“Looking at the people I was nominated with . . . it’s very overwhelming, it’s crazy,” she said. “It’s a big shout-out to women. This is a big moment, it’s a defining moment for South African music . . . we need to stop the stereotypes that it’s about females and males. It’s about focusing on the music.”
As well as music, the awards ceremony was about the spice provided by the hosts for the night, entertainer Somizi Mhlongo, comedian Mpho Popps and radio and TV personality Dineo Ranaka, who provided the obligatory cringeworthy commentary to get the audience laughing.
After her fashion faux par at the Miss SA finale during her performance, which saw her trending on Twitter for all the wrong reasons, Lady Zamar said she wouldn’t wish that experience on anyone. This weekend the singer sashayed across the SAMAs’ red carpet in a mustard off-the-shoulder gown with a train and black sequin details.
While Mhlongo was backstage getting ready to host the evening, his daughter Bahumi Madisakwane and his fiancé Mohale Motaung accompanied each other on the red carpet.