What Is 28th South African Music Awards

Overview

The 28th South African Music Awards (SAMAs) marked a major return to live ceremonies after a two-year disruption caused by the global pandemic. Originally scheduled for 2021, the event was postponed and eventually held on August 27, 2022, at the Sun City Superbowl in the North West Province.

Organized by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA), the SAMAs honor outstanding achievements in the country’s music industry across genres and platforms. The 2022 edition celebrated both legacy artists and emerging talents, with a strong emphasis on digital innovation and genre evolution.

• Hosts Tbo Touch and ProVerb brought energetic stage presence, marking their second consecutive year as presenters of the main ceremony.
• The event featured a hybrid format, combining in-person attendance with live-streamed performances for global audiences.
• Over 100,000 votes were cast by the public in fan-driven categories, including Favorite Song and Best Newcomer.
• Kabza De Small led the nominations with six nods and won three awards, solidifying his influence in the Amapiano movement.
• The Best African Adult Contemporary category was introduced in 2022 to reflect evolving musical tastes and pan-African collaborations.

How It Works

The SAMAs operate through a structured nomination and judging process involving industry professionals, public voting, and technical evaluations. Eligibility is based on music released during the qualifying period, typically from January to December of the preceding year.

• Eligibility Period: Music released between January 1 and December 31, 2021, qualified for the 28th SAMAs, ensuring fairness and consistency in submissions.
• Nomination Committee: A panel of 15 music experts from RiSA reviewed entries and shortlisted five nominees per category based on artistic and technical merit.
• Public Voting: Fans could vote online for select categories, accounting for 40% of the final score in awards like Best Collaboration and Viewer’s Choice.
• Judging Criteria: Industry-judged categories considered originality, vocal quality, production value, and cultural impact, with scores weighted equally across criteria.
• Technical Categories: Awards like Best Engineered Album were determined solely by a panel of audio engineers and producers.
• Gender Inclusion: The 28th SAMAs reported that 42% of nominees were women, reflecting ongoing efforts to promote gender equity in music.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key metrics across the 26th, 27th (virtual), and 28th SAMAs:

The 28th SAMAs demonstrated a strong rebound in audience engagement and production scale after the virtual 2021 event. The hybrid model allowed for broader participation, and the return to Sun City—historically a popular venue—signaled a revival of South Africa’s live music culture.

Why It Matters

The 28th South African Music Awards played a crucial role in revitalizing national pride in local music and recognizing the global rise of genres like Amapiano. It also highlighted the industry’s adaptation to digital platforms and inclusive practices.

• Amapiano’s mainstream breakthrough was cemented, with artists like Kabza De Small and Uncle Waffles receiving multiple awards and international attention.
• The SAMAs provided exposure for emerging artists from rural areas, many of whom gained record deals following their nominations.
• Music tourism received a boost as fans traveled to Sun City, contributing an estimated R18 million to the local economy.
• The inclusion of pan-African categories encouraged cross-border collaborations with artists from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Kenya.
• Gender representation improved, with women winning in major categories such as Best Female Artist and Best Afro Pop Album.
• The live broadcast reached over 5.2 million viewers across Africa and diaspora platforms like YouTube and SABC.

As South Africa’s most prestigious music event, the 28th SAMAs not only celebrated artistic excellence but also reinforced the cultural and economic power of homegrown talent in a rapidly evolving industry.