SAMA32 Returns to North West Province and the Year’s Nominees Are Revealed
Today, the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) proudly unveils the nominees for the 32nd South African Music Awards (SAMA32), igniting the countdown to the country’s most prestigious celebration of musical excellence. Across 25 fiercely contested categories, the nominees represent the heartbeat of a nation in song, a vibrant tapestry of voices, sounds, stories, and cultural expressions that continue to shape South Africa’s rich musical landscape. The coveted Top Five categories remain a closely guarded secret, with their reveal set for a few weeks from now — keeping the suspense alive!
This year’s announcement signals more than just the beginning of awards season. It heralds a triumphant homecoming. On 15 August 2026, the spotlight returns to the legendary Sun City Superbowl in North West Province for what has fittingly been dubbed the SAMA32 Homecoming Edition. A venue etched into the collective memory of South African entertainment, Sun City once again becomes the epicentre of the nation’s music industry as artists, creators, fans, and industry leaders gather beneath its iconic lights.
The return to North West Province is both symbolic and celebratory. It marks a reunion between the SAMAs and one of South Africa’s most beloved entertainment destinations – a place where countless musical milestones have been created and where some of the country’s most memorable performances have unfolded. As the awards return to this historic stage, they do so with renewed energy, fresh ambition, and a vision for the future.
Here are the nominees for the SAMA32 Awards:
Best Adult Contemporary Album
Abel Selaocoe’s “Four Spirits” (Live) – Abel Selaocoe, Aurora Orchestra, Nicholas Collon, Bernhard Schimpelsberger
Buzzhead – Kahn Morbee
Malachi’s Dream – Tim Parr
Wrapped in Rhythm, Vol.2 – Tutu Puoane, Metropole Orkest & Jacome Bairos
You Love Who You Love – Wandile Mbambeni
Best African Adult Contemporary Album
Isitifiketi – Jabulile Majola
KwaNtu – Madala Kunene & Sibusile Xaba
Moya – Simphiwe Dana
Ngimuhle – Zawadi Yamungu
ZINZA – BandaBanda
Best African Indigenous Faith Album
Difela – De Bruin Gospel Projects
Monghali Mesia – Amadodana Ase Wesile
NGIYA BONGA BABA – THE NEW BELIEVERS OF GOD GOSPEL SINGERS
The Journey Continues – Abanqobi
U TA HLAMULA – Zion Iskhalanga Academy
Best Afro Pop Album
Amaciko – Lwah Ndlunkulu
Busisiwe 2.0 – CiCi
Inkanyezi 2.0 (Live) – Sjava
Out The Box – Nomfundo Moh
Touch is a Move (Good Morning) – Samthing Soweto
Best Alternative Album
From The Hill – Charles Webster
Furniture – 44coles
Handsome Luke & The Heartbreakers – Mars Baby
Listen Properly – Bombshelter Beast
THROWING STONES – Archi
Best Amapiano Album
Acquiesce – Babalwa M
Bab’Motha – Kabza De Small
Mthuthuzeli – De Mthuda
N’wana Wa Mutsonga – Kelvin Momo
Thato Ya Modimo – Kelvin Momo
Best Classical Instrumental Album
First Light – Marius Small-Smith
Let the Children Play – John Lundun
Light the Whole Sky – University of Pretoria Camerata
Orchestrations – Guy Buttery
Radio Gogo Worldwide – uBeyond
Best Collaboration
Abantwana Bakho – DJ Maphorisa & XDuppy, Kabza De Small feat Thatohatsi, Young Stunna & Nkosazana Daughter
Dlala Ka Yona – DJ Maphorisa & XDuppy Enny Man Da Guitar, Focalistic, Ricky Lenyora, Uncool MC, Mellow & Sleazy
Shela – Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle, Mano
Thandaza – Sam Deep, Thatohatsi
Tobetsa 3.0 – Myztro, Leehleza, Shaunmusiq, Ftears
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album
Passover – Nqubeko Mbatha
Testify (Live at 012 Central, Pretoria 2024) – Mmuso Worship
The 37th Psalm (Live at Emperors Palace) – Ncebakazi Msomi
The GAP – Brenden Praise
THE GROUND WE’RE ON – Hle
Best Dance Album
Amazwi Okubonga – MaWhoo
Asante III – MÖRDA
Indigo Child II: Love & Frequency – Da Capo
MAYVIS – Dlala Thukzin
The Most Wanted – JAZZWRLD, Thukuthela
Best Engineered Album
Bab’Motha – Kabza De Small (Engineered by Thato & Kabza De Small)
Free – Nasty C (Engineered by Mike Manitshana)
Ntu Futurism – L8 Antique (Engineered by Matthew)
Orchestrations – Guy Buttery (Engineered by Guy Buttery & Fuzzy)
Touch is a Move (Good Morning) – Samthing Soweto (Engineered by Ross Dorkin)
Best Gqom Album
Dark or Durban 3 – Funky Qla
Izinsimbi zaMakoya – DJ Tira
New Wave – Blacks Jnr, Dankie Boi, GoldMax
Puku Puku – Dladla Mshunqisi, Beast RSA
Southside Mixtape – DJ Lag
Best Hip Hop Album
Bayede – Danya Devs
BLVCK & WHiTE – FLVME
Boss Zonke Forever – Riky Rick
Free – Nasty C
THE SECRET FREQUENCY – MashBeatz
Best Jazz Album
Ingoma Busuku – Paras “Sibalukhulu” Dlamini
Intlambululo: Ukuhlambulula – Mandisi Dyantyis
INTLUNGU. INTLUPHEKO. IMBILINI – Temba Ncetani
Ithemba Elitsha (A New Hope) – Lumanyano Mzi
The Y-Factor Project – Billy Monama
Best Maskandi Album
Amalandi Amathathu – Saliwa
Izilotshi – Mbuzeni
Khotha La (A Tribute To Mjikjelwa) – Ntencane
Ngabe Ngiloyiwe – Smiramira
Ng’funa intozami – Mzukulu
Best Pop Album
Don’t Cry Because It’s Over – Will Linley
Last Call for Departure – Matt Gardiner
Less Trouble – Shekhinah
not the same. – Anica Kiana
Phases – Tannah
Best Produced Album
Ingoma Busuku – Paras “Sibalukhulu” Dlamini (Produced by Nduduzo Makhathini)
Less Trouble – Shekhinah (Produced by Shekhinah, Rudolph Willemse, imnotgoofy, Mzizi, Gregory Abrahams, Iam6teen, Brendon-Lee Earl Johnson, Master A Flat)
Sacred Cycle – Mauritz Lotz (Produced by Mauritz Lotz)
Therapy: The Other Side – Langa Mavuso (Produced by Darren Blackansee, Simphiwe Mashinini, Ndumiso Manana, Ndabo Zulu, Christer Kobedi, Civil Motha, Unako Chabeli, Langa Mavuso, Jabulani Nkabinde, Lindelani Lee, Seragi Thantsha, Mnqobi Bayanda Nxumalo, Zooci, Jonathan Takyi Mensah, Onkabetse John Hlongwane)
ZINZA – Banda Banda (Produced by Banda Banda)
Best Produced Music Video
Abantwana Bakho – DJ Maphorisa & XDuppy, Kabza De Small feat Thatohatsi, Young Stunna & Nkosazana Daughter (Produced by Nyiko; Directed by Nyiko)
Leftie (Dlala Ngcobo) – Nasty C & Blxckie (Produced by Nasty C, Ayanda Ngcobo; Directed by Lordnelle)
Partii – Kamo Mphela, Aymos, QUE DJ & Jay Music feat SpacePose (Produced by Kamo Mphela; Directed by Lindo_Langa)
Shela (feat. Mano) – Single – Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle, Mano (Produced by Nyiko; Directed by Nyiko)
Wayside Lover – Msaki, Jesse Clegg & Sjava (Produced by Nombuso Ngcobo; Directed by Marty Bleazard)
Best R&B Soul Album
Island 22 – Gemma Fassie
It’s Complicated – Maxine Ceasar
Resurfaced – Lucille Slade
Therapy: The Other Side – Langa Mavuso
You, Me & The 90’s – lordkez
Best Reggae Album
DIMAHR – DIMAHR
Foreign Exchange – Ras Canly
Forward We Continue – Don Dada
Rasta Man Step – Layahn King
Victorious – Red I Scorch
Best Rock Album
AC/ES – AC/ES
Back From the Dead – We Kill Cowboys
Die Ruimte – Francois van Coke
ONKRUID – Karel Bester & Die Kraaines Band
Scatterling Empire – Acid Magus
Best Traditional Faith Music Album
Back To The Altar – Ntethe
Praise & Worship In The Wilderness, Pt. 1 – Bucy Radebe
Sound of Gratitude (Live at Urban Brew Dome) – Zaza
The Watchmans Camp – Sindi Ntombela
Worship in Newness – Puleng March
Best Traditional Music Album
Born For This – MetroBeatz RSA
I Khant Do Dhis Enimo – King Monada
Pleasure in 20 Years – Pleasure Tsa Manyalo
Sesi Ka Rose – Makhadzi Entertainment
Thath’owakho – Soul Brothers
Beste Pop Album
Dis Presies Wat Liefde Doen – Juan Boucher
Gees – Jakkie Louw
Miena – Jan Rhaap
Seisoene – Deon Groot
Troumateriaal – Brendan Peyper
Remix of the Year
Aweh (Remix) – lordkez feat. Cassper Nyovest
Eningi (Remix) – Kabza De Small, feat. Njelic, Mthunzi, Mkeyz, GL_Ceejay, Simmy
Mabebuza – Mdu aka TRP Remix – Maline Aura, Drega, Mdu aka TRP
Midnight (Black Motion Remix) – 340ml, Black Motion
Re-Amathambo (Remix) – Nduduzo Makhathini, Anna Widauer, Fka Mash
Rest of Africa Award
After Midnight – Gyakie (Ghana)
Iron Boy – Black Sherif (Ghana)
Olamidé – Olamide (Nigeria)
REAL, Vol. 1 – Wizkid, Asake (Nigeria)
This One Is Personal – Tiwa Savage (Nigeria)