The 32nd South African Music Awards was a particularly special experience for me because I had the opportunity to experience the SAMAs from several different perspectives — as a judge, a content creator, an interviewer and, ultimately, as a music lover celebrating the incredible talent that continues to shape South Africa’s music industry.
A Seat at the Table: Judging the SAMAs
Being appointed as a judge for the 32nd South African Music Awards was an honour and a responsibility that I approached with enormous respect for the artists, producers, engineers, and creative teams behind each submission. This year, I had the privilege of judging the Beste Pop Afrikaans and Best Engineered Album categories. Judging music is very different from simply listening to music as a fan. It requires a deeper level of engagement with the work — considering the artistry, production, technical execution, creativity, and overall quality of the submitted projects. The Best Engineered Album category was particularly fascinating because it shines a light on the technical professionals whose contribution can sometimes happen behind the scenes. Great music isn’t only about the performer; it is also about the engineers and production teams who help bring an artistic vision to life. Being part of the judging process gave me an even greater appreciation for the incredible depth of talent within South Africa’s music industry.
The Road to the SAMAs
My involvement with the SAMAs didn’t end with judging. I was also incredibly excited to collaborate with the team on a special content initiative called The Road to the SAMAs. The concept was to sit down with nominees and give audiences an opportunity to get to know the stories behind the music — the nominated projects, the inspiration behind them and what being recognised by the SAMAs meant to each artist.
We had the opportunity to speak to six nominees:
- Anica Kiana — Best Pop Album
- Matt Gardiner — Best Pop Album
- Tannah — Best Pop Album
- Jakkie Louw — Beste Pop Album
- Don Dada — Best Reggae Album
- Keenan Kinnear from Acid Magus — Best Rock Album
These conversations provided a wonderful opportunity to go beyond the nomination itself and explore the creative journeys behind these projects. The interviews were created for YouTube and social media, allowing audiences to connect with the nominees in a more personal and meaningful way. A huge special shout-out goes to Unati Gwija and Sapokazi Pokwana for the incredible organisation and coordination that went into bringing this project together. Projects like this don’t happen without people working tirelessly behind the scenes, and their contribution was hugely appreciated.
RISA Takes Us to Sun City
Another massive thank you goes to RISA for arranging our transport and accommodation for the SAMAs weekend. From Friday, 14 August through to Sunday, 16 August, everything was organised to ensure that we could focus on the work while enjoying the full SAMA experience at Sun City. A very special shout-out goes to Asanda Jaca for all her assistance and support in this regard. Having everything organised so seamlessly made the weekend that much more enjoyable.
Friday: The Industry Awards
Friday, 14 August, marked the Industry Awards, which recognise a number of categories that would not form part of the main live television broadcast. My colleague Khethiwe Thusi, who did an amazing job assisting me throughout the weekend, and I had the opportunity to relax and enjoy the evening. After spending so much time working behind the scenes, it was wonderful to simply take a step back, appreciate the occasion and celebrate the people who contribute to South Africa’s music industry.
Saturday: The Big Night
Then came Saturday, 15 August — the big one!
The atmosphere at Sun City was electric as artists, industry professionals, media, and fans gathered for the 32nd SAMAs. We were on the ground covering the red carpet, and I had the opportunity to interview approximately 25 artists, including Zee Nxumalo, DJ Sbu, Will Linley, Lordkez, Anele Zondo and many others. The red carpet is always one of my favourite parts of an awards ceremony because it gives you the opportunity to meet artists at a significant moment in their careers. There is something special about hearing directly from nominees and performers about what the SAMAs mean to them. And then there was the excitement surrounding Tyla, who was present at the event to accept the award for Best International Artist. Her presence added another level of excitement and international star power to an already spectacular evening. Once the red carpet interviews were complete, we took our seats for the live broadcast. The production was extravagant, energetic and a fitting celebration of South African music and the artists who continue to push the boundaries of the industry.
Celebrating After the Show
Following the live event, we were treated to a delicious dinner — the perfect opportunity to unwind after a very busy day of interviews, red carpet coverage, and live-event excitement.
The evening wasn’t over, though! The team at Sony Music kindly invited us to their after-party at The Palace, where the energy immediately shifted into celebration mode. After a long day of work, it was fantastic to let loose, enjoy the music and soak up the incredible atmosphere.
More Than an Awards Weekend
Looking back, the 32nd South African Music Awards was so much more than a weekend at Sun City. It was an opportunity to contribute to the industry as a judge, to tell artists’ stories through The Road to the SAMAs, to connect with nominees and established artists on the red carpet, and to experience one of South Africa’s biggest music celebrations from behind the scenes and from the audience. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who made the weekend possible — from the SAMAs and RISA teams to Unati Gwija, Sapokazi Pokwana, Asanda Jaca, my colleague Khethiwe Thusi, the Sony Music team and every artist who took the time to sit down for an interview. Most importantly, it was a reminder of why I love what I do. Music is about people, stories, creativity, and connection, and the 32nd SAMAs brought all those elements together beautifully. Here’s to celebrating South African music, the people behind it and the incredible stories still waiting to be told.