- Anele Zondo hosts the Industry Awards as SAMA32 honours exceptional artistry, creativity and musical diversity
15 August 2026, Sun City, North West – The 32nd South African Music Awards (SAMA32) officially kicked off its Homecoming Edition on Friday evening (14 August) with a celebration of the people, sounds and creative excellence shaping South Africa’s music industry.
Kicking off the festivities was acclaimed actress, musician and television personality Anele Zondo, who hosted the SAMA32 Industry Awards, setting the tone for a weekend dedicated to celebrating the depth, diversity and evolution of South African music.
The first night of SAMA32 delivered a powerful showcase of musical excellence, recognising artists, collaborators, producers and technical creatives across a broad spectrum of genres. From hip-hop, dance, Gqom and Afro-pop to jazz, rock, alternative, R&B/soul and African indigenous faith music, the winners reflect the remarkable breadth of South Africa’s musical landscape.
The evening also featured some powerhouse acts such as Mmabana Arts Culture & Sport Foundation, Langa Mavuso and Kryptonic Kreative, who took to the stage as part of celebrating last night’s winners alongside a host of other artists and creative professionals.
The SAMA32 Day 1 winners are:
- Best Collaboration: Abantwana Bakho – DJ Maphorisa & Xduppy, Kabza De Small feat. Thatohatsi, Young Stunna & Nkosazana Daughter
- Best Hip Hop Album: FREE – Nasty C
- Best Dance Album: The Most Wanted – JAZZWRLD & Thukuthela
- Best Gqom Album: New Wave – Blacks Jnr, Dankie Boi & Goldmax
- Remix of the Year: Eningi (Remix) – Kabza De Small feat. Njelic, Mthunzi, Mkeyz, GL_Ceejay & Simmy
- Rest of Africa Award: This One Is Personal – Tiwa Savage
- Best Engineered Album: Orchestrations – Guy Buttery, engineered by Guy Buttery & Fuzzy
- Best Produced Album: Therapy: The Other Side – Langa Mavuso
- Best Produced Music Video: Wayside Lover – Msaki, Jesse Clegg & Sjava; produced by Nombuso Ngcobo and directed by Marty Bleazard
- Best Afro Pop Album: Inkanyezi 2.0 (Live) – Sjava
- Best R&B / Soul Album: You, Me & The 90’s – lordkez
- Best Rock Album: Die Ruimte – Francois van Coke
- Best Alternative Album: Handsome Luke & The Heartbreakers – Mars Baby
- Best Jazz Album: Intlambululo: Ukuhlambulula – Mandisi Dyantyis
- Best African Indigenous Faith Album: Monghali Mesia – Amadodana Ase Wesile
- Best Contemporary Faith Music Album: The Ground We’re On – Hle
- Best Reggae Album: Foreign Exchange – Ras Canly
- Best African Adult Contemporary Album: Moya – Simphiwe Dana
- Best Adult Contemporary Album: Wrapped in Rhythm, Vol.2
- Best Classical / Instrumental Album: Orchestrations – Guy Buttery
The Industry Awards also highlighted an important dimension of the music business: that behind every celebrated recording, performance and visual experience is an ecosystem of creatives whose expertise helps bring music to life.
Backed by a formidable partnership that includes the Motsepe Foundation, the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), SA Tourism, SABC, IOL, Great Africa Group, the South African Music Performance Rights Association (SAMPRA), the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), the Composers, Authors and Publishers Association (CAPASSO), Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA), RiSA Audio Visual (RAV), MNM Funerals, Settlers Media and NX – the SAMA32 has evolved into far more than South Africa’s premier music awards. It has become a dynamic destination- marketing platform placing the North West Province in the international spotlight as a vibrant centre of culture, tourism, creativity and investment.
For RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi, the opening night demonstrated the importance of recognising the full spectrum of talent that sustains South Africa’s music industry.
“The SAMAs have always been about more than the spotlight. They are about recognising the artists, producers, engineers, directors, collaborators and creative minds whose collective work continues to move South African music forward. The winners represent the incredible depth of talent within our industry, and we congratulate every one of them on this well-deserved recognition,” said Sibisi.
He added that SAMA32’s return to the North West makes this year’s celebration particularly significant.
“There is something special about bringing the SAMAs home. The North West has played an important role in the history of these awards and in our country’s cultural story. SAMA32 celebrates that legacy, but it is equally about looking forward and recognising the new sounds, new voices and new creative possibilities that continue to emerge from South Africa.”
SAMA32 Spokesperson Unati Gwija said the diversity of the Day 1 winners is a reflection of the country’s vibrant and constantly evolving music industry.
“What we witnessed last night is the incredible range of South African music. From hip-hop and Gqom to jazz, rock, alternative, R&B and African indigenous faith music, these awards tell a story of an industry that refuses to be confined to one sound or one expression. We are incredibly proud of the winners and the contribution they are making to our musical heritage,” said Gwija.
She said the Industry Awards had also created the perfect platform from which to launch the main SAMA32 celebration.
“Day 1 gave us a glimpse of what makes South African music so powerful – collaboration, creativity, authenticity and our ability to constantly reinvent ourselves. But the celebration is far from over. We now turn our attention to the main SAMA32 ceremony, where even more of our country’s finest talent will take centre stage.”
The winners also demonstrate the growing global reach and cultural influence of South African music, with the Rest of Africa Award going to Nigerian superstar Tiwa Savage, while the various genre categories celebrate both established names and contemporary voices pushing creative boundaries.
With the Industry Awards setting the tone, attention now turns to the main SAMA32 ceremony on Saturday, 15 August 2026, at the Sun City Superbowl.
The Homecoming Edition brings together South Africa’s biggest music stars, industry leaders, creatives and music lovers for the country’s premier celebration of musical excellence.
After an electrifying opening night, anticipation is now at fever pitch as SAMA32 prepares to celebrate the artists and creative forces shaping the soundtrack of a nation.
About the South African Music Awards
The South African Music Awards (SAMAs) are South Africa’s premier music awards, presented by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) to recognise and celebrate excellence, achievement and contribution across the country’s vibrant music industry.
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