The race for South Africa's top music awards has entered its final stage after the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) released this year's list of five finalists. Among them are gospel artists Hle and Amadodana Ase Wesile, who each received three nominations.
The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) announced this shortlist on Monday, officially starting the countdown to the 32nd edition of the award. The ceremony, titled SAMA32 Homecoming Edition, will take place on August 15 at the Sun City Superbowl in the North West province.
RiSA noted that the Top 5 categories this year demonstrate a diversity of genres and artists, foreshadowing one of the most competitive sessions in recent years.
A SAMA representative, Unathi Gwija, congratulated all the Top 5 nominees, stating that their achievements form the basis for one of the most dynamic and unpredictable editions of the SAMAs in history. He emphasized that the announcement of the Top 5 is the starting point of the entire SAMAs journey.
According to Gwija, the presentation of artists vying for awards such as Album of the Year, Duo or Group of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year officially launches the race to SAMA32.
The ceremony is supported by several partners, including the Motsepe Foundation, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture of the North West, the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs, Nature Conservation and Tourism of the North West (DEDECT), South African Tourism, SABC, South African Music Performance Rights Association (SAMPRA), Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), Composers, Authors and Publishers Association (CAPASSO), RiSA Audio Visual (RAV), MNM Funerals, and Settlers Media.
Unathi Gwija also expressed gratitude to the independent judging panels for their professionalism and meticulous work, which ensures the fairness and authority of the South African Music Awards, recognizing the country's best artists.
Now that the finalists have been determined, attention is focused on Sun City on August 15, when South Africa's leading artists will compete for the industry's most prestigious awards.
