SA: SAMAs confirm nomination ceremony date, 2019 venue

The SAMAs organisers also told Music In Africa that the awards ceremony will return to Sun City in the North West province on a yet to be announced date.

“Twenty-five to Life is a celebration of the 25 years of SAMA’s existence and the role music played in driving social cohesion,” Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi said in a statement. “We have lived music since the dawn of time and it has shaped the way we think and feel, and has helped us forge our identity as a nation.

“We look forward to sharing memorable SAMA moments, from their humble beginnings and how different genres have evolved in the last 25 years to reflect the country’s evolution. There is no doubt that South Africans live music and appreciate its meaning and impact in their lives, that is why the SAMAs continue to honour the artists through this premium event.”

Music In Africa spoke with Sibisi, who further elaborated on the theme. “In celebration of the 25-year milestone, things will be done differently in both the nominee announcement and the main event, where we incorporate how music has evolved in the past year, its societal influences and where we currently are with the evolution of many genres. Not deviating from the fact that South Africans, in any situation they are faced with, will always love music despite the change in beats.

“It’s a journey of reminiscing down memory lane, remembering that the SAMAs are the only music award event in South Africa that celebrates the diverse cultures in music expression that cover the entire nation,” he said.

Sibisi said the SAMAs had received more than 750 entries and that the organisers were introducing a new category to the awards platform.

“There are 40 categories for the SAMA 25 event. The reggae category has been separated from the R&B/Soul group and is now a standalone category that caters specifically for that genre of music and its subgenres like dancehall,” Sibisi said.

North West department of culture, arts and traditional affairs member of the executive committee Ontlametse Mochware said her department had enjoyed an inseparable relationship with the SAMAs over the years.

“We pride ourselves for the indelible mark and touching the lives of many musicians and the business community of the North West province, who keep benefitting economically during the SAMA season,” she said.

“The SAMAs are turning 25, and along it we celebrate 25 years of democracy as a nation. This year’s theme of 25 to Life resonates well with the number of years that have brought life to the living through our partnership with the SAMAs.”