The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) has announced that the 31st Annual South African Music Awards (SAMA31) will be held on Saturday, 14 December 2025 in a hybrid format. The shift reflects a new digital-forward vision that expands access, sustainability, and audience engagement while preserving the awards’ prestige and cultural significance.
Sama31 Goes Hybrid: A New Chapter In Celebrating South African Music
The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) has officially announced that the 31st Annual South African Music Awards (SAMA31) will take place on 14 December 2025, unveiling a reimagined hybrid format that marks a bold new era for the country’s most prestigious music celebration. In the lead-up to the main event, RiSA has released the SAMA31 Top 20 nominees, spotlighting the nation’s most outstanding musical talent of the year. The announcement sets the stage for what promises to be one of the most dynamic editions in the awards’ three-decade history.
Faced with a challenging sponsorship climate and constrained funding landscape, RiSA has pivoted from the traditional live gala to a streamlined, innovative, and digitally driven hybrid event. This transformation aims to ensure wider participation, greater accessibility, and a celebration that resonates with contemporary audiences—all while upholding the integrity and prestige synonymous with the SAMAs.
“By embracing a hybrid format, SAMA31 aims to expand access, enabling fans across South Africa and beyond to participate through multi-platform engagement and interactive digital experiences,” said Unati Gwija, SAMA Spokesperson. “While some may see this as a departure from tradition, we view it as an evolution—an opportunity to reimagine how South African music is experienced and to bring the SAMAs closer to more fans than ever before.”
Like many cultural institutions, the SAMAs are adapting to reduced government support, inconsistent corporate sponsorship, and shifting audience behaviours. Yet, rather than retreat, RiSA is choosing to innovate.
“Prestige is not defined by chandeliers or banquet halls,” Gwija added. “It lies in what the SAMAs have always represented—artistic credibility, cultural relevance, and national pride. The hybrid edition showcases our resilience and the innovative spirit of our music industry.”
The hybrid model brings new opportunities for broader reach and engagement, offering livestreamed performances, fan-interactive zones, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. The integrity of the awards remains intact, with independent oversight maintaining strict judging and auditing standards to preserve the SAMAs’ reputation as South Africa’s highest musical honour.
Beyond adapting to current realities, RiSA’s shift to a digital-first strategy opens pathways to new sponsorship models, global collaborations, and creative revenue streams—ensuring the SAMAs remain sustainable and relevant for future generations.
“This move marks not the end of an era, but the beginning of a bold new chapter—one that merges innovation with tradition, accessibility with prestige, and local excellence with global reach,” Gwija affirmed.
Supported by powerhouse partners including the Motsepe Foundation, Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, SAMPRA, SAMRO, CAPASSO, YouTube, and SABC as media partner, SAMA31 continues to uphold its legacy as the gold standard of South African music.
Featured Image(s): Supplied
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