TL;TR
The South African Music Awards are heading back to the North West Province for their 32nd edition on 15 August 2026. The return marks a significant moment for South Africa’s music industry, reconnecting the awards with a province that has hosted some of its most memorable editions while positioning culture, tourism and entertainment at the centre of national attention.
Details
- Brand: Recording Industry of South Africa
- Event: South African Music Awards (SAMAs)
- Date: Saturday, 15 August 2026
- Location: North West Province
32nd Annual South African Music Awards Nominees
28 May 2026
The Recording Industry of South Africa has announced the nominees for the 32nd South African Music Awards. The ceremony returns to Sun City on 15 August 2026 for the SAMA32 Homecoming Edition, celebrating South Africa’s diverse music industry across 25 categories, while the prestigious Top Five nominations remain under wraps.
Album of the Year
- Monghali Mesia – Amadodana Ase Wesile
- THE GROUND WE’RE ON – Hle
- Orchestrations – Guy Buttery; Engineered by Guy Buttery & Fuzzy
- The Most Wanted – JAZZWRLD, Thukuthela
- Wrapped in Rhythm, Vol.2 – Tutu Puoane, Metropole, Orkest & Jacome Bairos
Duo Group of the Year
- AC/ES – AC/ES
- New Wave – Blacks Jnr, Dankie Boi, GoldMax
- The Most Wanted – JAZZWRLD, Thukuthela
- Monghali Mesia – Amadodana Ase Wesile
- The Journey Continues – Abanqobi
Female Artist of the Year
- You, Me & The 90’s – lordkez
- THE GROUND WE’RE ON – Hle
- Sesi Ka Rose – Makhadzi Entertainment
- Praise & Worship In The Wilderness, Pt. 1 – Bucy Radebe
- Moya – Simphiwe Dana
Male Artist of the Year
- Bab’Motha – Kabza De Small
- Don’t Cry Because It’s Over – Will Linley
- Foreign Exchange – Ras Canly
- Intlambululo: Ukuhlambulula – Mandisi Dyantyis
- Ng’funa intozami – Mzukulu
Newcomer of the Year
- Ithemba Elitsha (A New Hope) – Lumanyano Mzi
- INTLUNGU. INTLUPHEKO. IMBILINI – Temba Ncetani
- Ntu Futurism – L8 Antique
- Ingoma Busuku – Paras ‘Sibalukhulu’ Dlamini
- First Light – Marius Small-Smith
Best Adult Contemporary Album
- Abel Selaocoe’s “Four Spirits” (Live) – Abel Selaocoe, Aurora Orchestra, Nicholas Collon, Bernhard Schimpelsberger
- Buzzhead – Kahn Morbee
- Malachi’s Dream – Tim Parr
- Wrapped in Rhythm, Vol.2 – Tutu Puoane, Metropole Orkest & Jacome Bairos
- You Love Who You Love – Wandile Mbambeni
Best African Adult Contemporary Album
- Isitifiketi – Jabulile Majola
- KwaNtu – Madala Kunene & Sibusile Xaba
- Moya – Simphiwe Dana
- Ngimuhle – Zawadi Yamungu
- ZINZA – BandaBanda
Best African Indigenous Faith Album
- Difela – De Bruin Gospel Projects
- Monghali Mesia – Amadodana Ase Wesile
- NGIYA BONGA BABA – THE NEW BELIEVERS OF GOD GOSPEL SINGERS
- The Journey Continues – Abanqobi
- U TA HLAMULA – Zion Iskhalanga Academy
Best Afro Pop Album
- Amaciko – Lwah Ndlunkulu
- Busisiwe 2.0 – CiCi
- Inkanyezi 2.0 (Live) – Sjava
- Out The Box – Nomfundo Moh
- Touch is a Move (Good Morning) – Samthing Soweto
Best Alternative Album
- From The Hill – Charles Webster
- Furniture – 44coles
- Handsome Luke & The Heartbreakers – Mars Baby
- Listen Properly – Bombshelter Beast
- THROWING STONES – Archi
Best Amapiano Album
- Acquiesce – Babalwa M
- Bab’Motha – Kabza De Small
- Mthuthuzeli – De Mthuda
- N’wana Wa Mutsonga – Kelvin Momo
- Thato Ya Modimo – Kelvin Momo
Best Classical Instrumental Album
- First Light – Marius Small-Smith
- Let the Children Play – John Lundun
- Light the Whole Sky – University of Pretoria Camerata
- Orchestrations – Guy Buttery
- Radio Gogo Worldwide – uBeyond
Best Collaboration
- Abantwana Bakho – DJ Maphorisa & XDuppy, Kabza De Small feat Thatohatsi, Young Stunna & Nkosazana Daughter
- Dlala Ka Yona – DJ Maphorisa & XDuppy Enny Man Da Guitar, Focalistic, Ricky Lenyora, Uncool MC, Mellow & Sleazy
- Shela – Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle, Mano
- Thandaza – Sam Deep, Thatohatsi
- Tobetsa 3.0 – Myztro, Leehleza, Shaunmusiq, Ftears
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album
- Passover – Nqubeko Mbatha
- Testify (Live at 012 Central, Pretoria 2024) – Mmuso Worship
- The 37th Psalm (Live at Emperors Palace) – Ncebakazi Msomi
- The GAP – Brenden Praise
- THE GROUND WE’RE ON – Hle
Best Dance Album
- Amazwi Okubonga – MaWhoo
- Asante III – MÖRDA
- Indigo Child II: Love & Frequency – Da Capo
- MAYVIS – Dlala Thukzin
- The Most Wanted – JAZZWRLD, Thukuthela
Best Engineered Album
- Bab’Motha – Kabza De Small (Engineered by Thato & Kabza De Small)
- Free – Nasty C (Engineered by Mike Manitshana)
- Ntu Futurism – L8 Antique (Engineered by Matthew)
- Orchestrations – Guy Buttery (Engineered by Guy Buttery & Fuzzy)
- Touch is a Move (Good Morning) – Samthing Soweto (Engineered by Ross Dorkin)
Best Gqom Album
- Dark or Durban 3 – Funky Qla
- Izinsimbi zaMakoya – DJ Tira
- New Wave – Blacks Jnr, Dankie Boi, GoldMax
- Puku Puku – Dladla Mshunqisi, Beast RSA
- Southside Mixtape – DJ Lag
Best Hip Hop Album
- Bayede – Danya Devs
- BLVCK & WHiTE – FLVME
- Boss Zonke Forever – Riky Rick
- Free – Nasty C
- THE SECRET FREQUENCY – MashBeatz
Best Jazz Album
- Ingoma Busuku – Paras “Sibalukhulu” Dlamini
- Intlambululo: Ukuhlambulula – Mandisi Dyantyis
- INTLUNGU. INTLUPHEKO. IMBILINI – Temba Ncetani
- Ithemba Elitsha (A New Hope) – Lumanyano Mzi
- The Y-Factor Project – Billy Monama
Best Maskandi Album
- Amalandi Amathathu – Saliwa
- Izilotshi – Mbuzeni
- Khotha La (A Tribute To Mjikjelwa) – Ntencane
- Ngabe Ngiloyiwe – Smiramira
- Ng’funa intozami – Mzukulu
Best Pop Album
- Don’t Cry Because It’s Over – Will Linley
- Last Call for Departure – Matt Gardiner
- Less Trouble – Shekhinah
- not the same. – Anica Kiana
- Phases – Tannah
Best Produced Album
- Ingoma Busuku – Paras “Sibalukhulu” Dlamini (Produced by Nduduzo Makhathini)
- Less Trouble – Shekhinah (Produced by Shekhinah, Rudolph Willemse, imnotgoofy, Mzizi, Gregory Abrahams, Iam6teen, Brendon-Lee
Earl Johnson, Master A Flat) - Sacred Cycle – Mauritz Lotz (Produced by Mauritz Lotz)
- Therapy: The Other Side – Langa Mavuso (Produced by Darren Blackansee, Simphiwe Mashinini, Ndumiso Manana, Ndabo Zulu,
Christer Kobedi, Civil Motha, Unako Chabeli, Langa Mavuso, Jabulani Nkabinde, Lindelani Lee, Seragi Thantsha, Mnqobi Bayanda
Nxumalo, Zooci, Jonathan Takyi Mensah, Onkabetse John Hlongwane) - ZINZA – Banda Banda (Produced by Banda Banda)
Best Produced Music Video
- Abantwana Bakho – DJ Maphorisa & XDuppy, Kabza De Small feat Thatohatsi, Young Stunna & Nkosazana Daughter (Produced by
Nyiko; Directed by Nyiko) - Leftie (Dlala Ngcobo) – Nasty C & Blxckie (Produced by Nasty C, Ayanda Ngcobo; Directed by Lordnelle)
- Partii – Kamo Mphela, Aymos, QUE DJ & Jay Music feat SpacePose (Produced by Kamo Mphela; Directed by Lindo_Langa)
- Shela (feat. Mano) – Single – Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle, Mano (Produced by Nyiko; Directed by Nyiko)
- Wayside Lover – Msaki, Jesse Clegg & Sjava (Produced by Nombuso Ngcobo; Directed by Marty Bleazard)
Best R&B Soul Album
- Island 22 – Gemma Fassie
- It’s Complicated – Maxine Ceasar
- Resurfaced – Lucille Slade
- Therapy: The Other Side – Langa Mavuso
- You, Me & The 90’s – lordkez
Best Reggae Album
- DIMAHR – DIMAHR
- Foreign Exchange – Ras Canly
- Forward We Continue – Don Dada
- Rasta Man Step – Layahn King
- Victorious – Red I Scorch
Best Rock Album
- AC/ES – AC/ES
- Back From the Dead – We Kill Cowboys
- Die Ruimte – Francois van Coke
- ONKRUID – Karel Bester & Die Kraaines Band
- Scatterling Empire – Acid Magus
Best Traditional Faith Music Album
- Back To The Altar – Ntethe
- Praise & Worship In The Wilderness, Pt. 1 – Bucy Radebe
- Sound of Gratitude (Live at Urban Brew Dome) – Zaza
- The Watchmans Camp – Sindi Ntombela
- Worship in Newness – Puleng March
Best Traditional Music Album
- Born For This – MetroBeatz RSA
- I Khant Do Dhis Enimo – King Monada
- Pleasure in 20 Years – Pleasure Tsa Manyalo
- Sesi Ka Rose – Makhadzi Entertainment
- Thath’owakho – Soul Brothers
Beste Pop Album
- Dis Presies Wat Liefde Doen – Juan Boucher
- Gees – Jakkie Louw
- Miena – Jan Rhaap
- Seisoene – Deon Groot
- Troumateriaal – Brendan Peyper
Remix of the Year
- Aweh (Remix) – lordkez feat. Cassper Nyovest
- Eningi (Remix) – Kabza De Small, feat. Njelic, Mthunzi, Mkeyz, GL_Ceejay, Simmy
- Mabebuza – Mdu aka TRP Remix – Maline Aura, Drega, Mdu aka TRP
- Midnight (Black Motion Remix) – 340ml, Black Motion
- Re-Amathambo (Remix) – Nduduzo Makhathini, Anna Widauer, Fka Mash
Rest of Africa Award
- After Midnight – Gyakie (Ghana)
- Iron Boy – Black Sherif (Ghana)
- Olamidé – Olamide (Nigeria)
- REAL, Vol. 1 – Wizkid, Asake (Nigeria)
- This One Is Personal – Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)
The SAMAs Return To Familiar Ground In The North West
28 May 2026
The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) has confirmed that the 32nd South African Music Awards (SAMAs) will take place in the North West Province on 15 August 2026, bringing the country’s premier music awards ceremony back to a region widely regarded as its traditional home. The announcement was made by North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Galerekwe Tsotso Tlhapi, who described the return as both a proud and emotional moment for the province. Having previously hosted the 28th edition of the awards, the North West has built a reputation as one of the SAMAs’ most established host destinations.
“It feels like yesterday when we hosted the 28th instalment of the SAMAs here in North West. This province has always been a proud and capable host, and we are ready once again to welcome the nation,” said Tlhapi.
Beyond an Awards Show
For provincial leaders, the return of the SAMAs represents more than a single-night event. It is also an opportunity to showcase the province’s cultural infrastructure, tourism appeal and ability to host major national productions. RiSA spokesperson Unati Gwija confirmed that preparations are already underway, with consultations taking place across government, industry and production stakeholders. According to Gwija, planning efforts are focused on delivering a seamless event while building on the province’s history as a successful SAMA host.
The announcement has already generated anticipation across the entertainment sector, with artists, labels and fans looking ahead to what could become one of the most culturally significant editions of the awards in recent years.
What This Means
The return to North West strengthens the SAMAs’ connection to a location that has become synonymous with the awards’ modern history. For RiSA, it offers continuity and proven hosting capabilities. For the province, it creates opportunities for tourism, local business activity and national visibility while reinforcing its position within South Africa’s cultural economy.
The Bigger Picture
The decision to return the SAMAs to North West reflects a broader trend within South Africa’s creative industries: leveraging cultural events to drive regional economic activity and strengthen local creative ecosystems. As provinces increasingly compete to host major entertainment properties, the SAMAs continue to serve as both a celebration of music excellence and a catalyst for tourism, investment and cultural visibility across the country.
SAMA32 Nominees To Be Revealed On 25 June Ahead Of North West Homecoming Edition
18 June 2026
The South African Music Awards (SAMA32) will announce this year’s nominees on 25 June 2026 through a hybrid event bringing together artists, industry stakeholders, media and music fans nationwide. Branded the “Homecoming Edition,” the awards return to the North West Province, with the main ceremony scheduled for 15 August 2026.
Follow lamagafrica and thesamas_ for more.
Share Your Thoughts
Which album, song or artist had the biggest impact on South African music over the past year?
📸: Supplied
Leave a Reply