RiSA announces 2022 SAMAs panel of judges

The 120 judges were responsible for selecting the nominees and winners of this year's awards. They were drawn from across the country, and include music critics, music compilers, music promoters, broadcasters, media experts, journalists and academics. They were selected by the RiSA Steering Committee comprising representatives from record labels, and were assigned to preside over various award categories based on their expertise.

According to RiSA, the judges independently input their scores and justifications using an online system without communicating with one another. The information is then given to auditors for collation and verification before the top five in each category are announced.

“The calibre of judges that we have secured for this year’s awards spans across the media landscape,” RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi. “They have all been selected based on their industry knowledge and are the cornerstone for a credible adjudication process. We owe them a debt of gratitude for this important and selfless exercise that takes up their time and energy. All roads lead to Sun City and we are confident that their invaluable expertise will result in the acknowledgement of the best of the best.”

Below is the full list of judges:

1. Ayanda ‘MVP’ Mduli
2. Aymeric Peguillan
3. Beverly Moubane
4. Bongani Nqiqi
5. Bonolo Molosiwa
6. Busisiwe Zondi
7. Caron Williams Williams
8. Catherine Grenfel
9. CJ De Swart
10. Craig Bright
11. Chriselda Kananda
12. David Lephoto
13. David (Deza)Molotlhanyi
14. Derrich Gardner
15. Dudu Khoza
16. Duncan G Gibbon
17. El Broide
18. Emmanuel Tyija
19. Everson Luhanga
20. Fanele Bhengu
21. Felicity Mdluli
22. Fikile Magalemele
23. Fred Kayembe
24. Gabi Mbele
25. Gabi Abrahamse
26. Glen Netshipise
27. Gold Ntlokwana
28. Gudla (Abashakaze) Bangi
29. Hannelore Olivier
30. Heidi Edeling
31. Helen Herimbi
32. Hennie Myburgh
33. Isaac Mashilo
34. Ivan ‘Chilly’ Lesetedi
35. Jacques Arendt
36. Jade Leaf
37. James Shikwambane
38. Jan van Zyl
39. Janina Van Niekerk
40. Jannine Purkiss
41. Jay Matli
42. Jennifer Senasie
43. Kabelo Mekoa
44. Kagiso Sebudi
45. Keamogetswe Moumakwe
46. Khanyi Magubane
47. Khaya Ntonjeni
48. Kurt Meyer
49. Lebang Kgosana
50. Lebogang Kgomongwe
51. Lebohang Mphotha
52. Lehlohonolo Peega
53. Lerato Matsoso
54. Lesiba Morakana
55. Liebie Opperman
56. Linda Zulu
57. Lorenz Penkler
58. Mabhande Mthombeni
59. Malie Kelly
60. Mandla Mdletshe
61. Mandla Buthelezi
62. Mandla Ncinitwa
63. Manqoba -King Winner Shabangu
64. Martin Maphosa
65. Martin Oberholzer
66. Maxwell Baloi
67. Mbali Nkosi
68. Michael Bower
69. Mihlale Ngele
70. Misha Loots
71. Mohlou Mile
72. Mpho Maumela
73. Mpho Mokou
74. Nelson Segodi
75. Nikita Tsotetsi
76. Nomthandazo Solomon Mkize
77. Nomvula Mehlomakhulu
78. Nothemba Madumo
79. Ntokozo Botjie
80. Ntombifuthi Dlamini
81. Omolemo Maja
82. Oupa Molane
83. Paul Tisley
84. Phumzile Mlangeni
85. Pieter Cloete
86. Rofhiwa Rampfumadzi
87. Rofhiwa Nethenge
88. Romeo Mabasa
89. Sabelo Mkhabela
90. Sammy Rankoana
91. Sduduzo Myeni
92. Sello Richard Mokgobatlou
93. Shau Mudekunye
94. Sibusiso Kanyi
95. Sibusiso Msane
96. Siyanda Fikelephi
97. Skhumbuzo Nhlapo
98. Slindile Dlamini
99. Snyman Rankane
100. Solly Mputle
101. Stephan Potgieter
102. Stephanie Barnadt
103. Sweet Mike Singwane
104. Teboho Letselela
105. Tecla Ciolfi
106. Thabiso Ramasethla
107. Thabo Matshaka
108. Thabo Welcome
109. Thapelo Makhubo
110. Thembi Thobela
111. Thomas Manamela
112. Thulasizwe Nkabinde
113. Tim Zunckel
114. Timothy Mogogole Mogogole
115. Tshwanelo Maredi
116. Vanessa Buthelezi
117. Vernon Nel
118. Vusi Langa
119. Wynand van Heerden
120. Xolani Ndlovu
121. Zanele Mauka
122. Zwelibanzi Mbhele

Proudly South African partnership

Meanwhile, the SAMAs have for the second time partnered with Proudly South African ahead of the awards ceremony at the weekend.

In recognition of the awards ceremony’s contribution over the past 28 years, Proudly SA has endorsed the event as an advocate of locally made products and services.

“The SAMAs are seen to be the most coveted awards in the music industry, recognising the hard work and dedication of South African artists and their teams,” Proudly SA chief executive Eustace Mashimbye said. “The creative arts industry represents a huge source of jobs predominantly for young people; therefore, it gives us great pleasure to endorse these awards and the incredible job creation value chain they contribute to, especially now that the physical event has been reinstated.”

Sibisi said: “The South African Music Awards have been acknowledging musical excellence for 28 years. To partner again with Proudly South African is undoubtedly a moment of pride and we are excited about the possibilities that have arisen and those that are still to arise from this partnership. As an organisation we are honoured to contribute to South Africa’s musical development and to the creation of much needed jobs for this sector.”