Late Solly Moholo to receive Lifetime Achievement Award at SAMAs

The announcement was made by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA), which oversees the annual ceremony. Moholo was a prominent figure in traditional gospel music, particularly recognised for his mokhukhu style and energetic performances. He released more than 15 albums over a career that spanned more than two decades. His breakthrough came in the early 2000s with the album Ba Mmitsa Tsotsi, which helped establish him as a leading voice in South African gospel music.

Born and raised in Soshanguve, Moholo was a member of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC), and his music drew heavily on its musical traditions, including brass arrangements and township rhythms. His performances attracted large audiences in South Africa and neighbouring countries, including Eswatini and Botswana.

Beyond music, Moholo was involved in community initiatives that focused on young people. He participated in school outreach programmes aimed at raising awareness about bullying and was known to engage with learners directly through performances and motivational talks. He also worked with children living with disabilities, offering support and encouragement in community settings.

RiSA chief executive officer Nhlanhla Sibisi said Moholo played a significant role in bringing gospel music to a broader audience. “Solly Moholo did not just perform gospel music, he lived it, breathed it, and made an entire nation dance to its truth,” Sibisi said. “He took sacred songs from the church to the streets and showed us that joy, faith and culture can coexist in the most powerful way. Even though he left us in 2024, his voice continues to uplift and inspire.”

SAMA31 will be staged as a hybrid event, combining in-person and digital elements. Partners associated with this year’s awards include the Motsepe Foundation, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the South African Music Performance Rights Association (SAMPRA), the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), the Composers, Authors and Publishers Association (CAPASSO), YouTube, the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

RiSA reiterated its view that the role of the awards is to recognise a wide range of musical genres and contributors to the country’s music industry. Sibisi added: “Less Noise. More Music, because in a country this vibrant, the music must always speak loudest.”