SAMA32 Nominees Announced as South Africa’s Music Industry Prepares for Sun City Homecoming

The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) has officially revealed the nominees for the 32nd South African Music Awards, setting the stage for one of the country’s biggest annual celebrations of music. The announcement covers 25 competitive categories and brings together a wide mix of artists who represent the full range of South African sound. The reveal signals the start of a high-stakes awards season where attention now shifts to final voting and industry speculation. The Top Five categories remain undisclosed for now, keeping anticipation high as the countdown to the main event continues. The announcement reinforces the SAMAs as a central platform for recognising artistic achievement across genres and generations.

This year’s ceremony will return to the Sun City Superbowl in the North West Province on 15 August 2026, marking a symbolic homecoming for the awards. Sun City has long been associated with major entertainment moments in South Africa and continues to hold strong cultural significance. The return to this venue adds weight to the SAMA32 edition, placing the event back in a space known for large-scale productions and historic performances. Artists, industry figures and fans are expected to gather for a night that blends recognition, performance and celebration. The decision also reflects a broader effort to reconnect the awards with iconic local stages.

Across the nominee list, South African music shows its full range of diversity and evolution. Amapiano continues its strong presence with major nominations for Kabza De Small, De Mthuda, Kelvin Momo and Babalwa M, reflecting the genre’s dominance in both local and global markets. Afro Pop remains equally competitive, with artists such as Sjava, Nomfundo Moh, Samthing Soweto, CiCi and Lwah Ndlunkulu all receiving recognition. Hip hop also holds strong with nominations for Nasty C, FLVME, MashBeatz and the late Riky Rick, showing the continued influence of lyric-driven and production-heavy projects. Across alternative, jazz, rock and reggae categories, established and emerging voices continue to push creative boundaries.

Faith and traditional music categories remain central to the SAMAs, highlighting the cultural depth of South African music. Gospel and worship projects from Bucy Radebe, Zaza, Sindi Ntombela and Hle reflect the continued strength of spiritual music in live and studio formats. Maskandi and traditional categories also feature strong contenders including Makhadzi Entertainment, King Monada, Mzukulu and Soul Brothers. These categories continue to preserve cultural identity while adapting to modern production styles and audiences. They also show how traditional sound remains commercially and culturally relevant.

Behind the scenes, production and collaboration categories highlight the technical craft driving the music industry forward. DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, Sam Deep, Nasty C and other key figures appear across multiple nominations, reinforcing their influence on current sound trends. Engineered and produced album categories place focus on studio excellence and the individuals shaping the final sound of each project. Music video nominations also reflect the growing importance of visual storytelling in music promotion, with creative direction playing a key role in how songs reach audiences. These categories underline the teamwork behind every successful release.

The Rest of Africa category expands the SAMAs beyond South Africa’s borders, featuring major continental stars such as Wizkid, Asake, Tiwa Savage, Olamide, Black Sherif and Gyakie. This inclusion reflects the growing interconnectedness of African music markets and the shared influence of Afrobeats, Afro-fusion and other continental genres. It also highlights South Africa’s position within a wider creative ecosystem that continues to shape global sound trends. The category strengthens the SAMAs as a platform that recognises both local excellence and African-wide impact.

As SAMA32 approaches, attention now turns to the final voting stages and the upcoming reveal of the Top Five categories. The awards continue to serve as a benchmark for excellence in South African music while showcasing the diversity of talent across the industry. This year’s nominees reflect a music scene that is both rooted in tradition and driven by innovation. The Sun City ceremony is expected to bring together the country’s most influential artists for a night of recognition and performance. All eyes now move toward August as the industry prepares to crown its biggest winners.

FULL LIST OF SAMA32 NOMINEES

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
Free – Nasty C
Ntu Futurism – L8 Antique
Orchestrations – Guy Buttery
Touch is a Move (Good Morning) – Samthing Soweto

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
Less Trouble – Shekhinah
Sacred Cycle – Mauritz Lotz
Therapy: The Other Side – Langa Mavuso
ZINZA – Banda Banda

Best Produced Music Video
Abantwana Bakho – DJ Maphorisa & XDuppy, Kabza De Small feat Thatohatsi, Young Stunna & Nkosazana Daughter
Leftie (Dlala Ngcobo) – Nasty C & Blxckie
Partii – Kamo Mphela, Aymos, QUE DJ & Jay Music feat SpacePose
Shela (feat. Mano) – Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle, Mano
Wayside Lover – Msaki, Jesse Clegg & Sjava

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)

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