By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@TheSamas.
Celebrated music icon Thandiswa Mazwai stole the spotlight at the 31st annual South African Music Awards (SAMA) with four major wins, cementing her place in the South African music.
The award-winning singer’s fourth studio album, Sankofa, won in four categories: Female Artist of the Year, Best African Contemporary Album, Best Produced Album and Best Engineered Album, missing out on only one of the five categories in which it was nominated.
Mazwai released Sankofa (a word meaning ‘to go back and fetch what has been left behind’ in Ghanian Twi) on 10 May 2024, eight years after dropping her third studio album Belede in 2016.
According to her official website, the album was recorded in Johannesburg, Dakar, and New York.
It also features collaborations with the likes of fellow musicians Meshell Ndegeocello, Chris Bruce, Nduduzo Makhathini, Thandi Ntuli, and Tendai Shoko.
Other notable winners on the night included Khuzani, who claimed Best Maskandi Album for Angidlali Nezingane; Sjava, whose Isibuko (Deluxe) won Best Afro Pop Album; and Kelvin Momo, who secured Best Amapiano Album for Ntsako.
Rising gospel star Nontokozo Mkhize was named Newcomer of the Year, while the late Solly Moholo was honoured posthumously with the Lifetime Achievement Award, drawing emotional applause from the audience.
International recognition also featured strongly, with Nigerian superstar Ayra Starr winning the Rest of Africa Award, highlighting the increasingly borderless nature of African music.
Zee Nxumalo, Kusasa, and Kaylow delivered standout performances that further elevated the night, delivering high-energy and soulful sets befitting the occasion.
Here’s the full list of winners:
- Best Adult Contemporary Album: Melanie Scholtz — Seven
- Best African Adult Contemporary Album: Thandiswa Mazwai — Sankofa
- Best Afro Pop Album: Sjava — Isibuko (Deluxe)
- Best Alternative Album: Francis Soul — Hindsight 2020
- Best Amapiano Album: Kelvin Momo — Ntsako
- Best Classical/Instrumental Album: Derek Gripper — Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper
- Best Collaboration: Black Motion — Takala
- Best Dance Album: Dlala Thukzin — Finally Famous Too
- Best Engineered Album: Thandiswa Mazwai — Sankofa
- Best Gqom Album: Goldmax — Play At Your Own Risk
- Best Hip Hop Album: 25K — Loyal To The Plug: The Life & Times of Don Kilograms
- Best Jazz Album: Peter Auret — Hope Dies Last
- Best Maskandi Album: Khuzani — Angidlali Nezngane
- Best Produced Album: Thandiswa Mazwai — Sankofa
- Best Produced Music Video: Shekhinah — Risk
- Best R&B/Soul Album: Elaine — Stone Cold Heart
- Best Reggae Album: Luwe Da Lion — After All
- Best Rock Album: MaxX & Love — These Blues Might Get You Too
- Best Traditional Faith Music Album: Ayanda Ntanzi — According to Grace, A One Man Show
- Best Traditional Music Album: Makhadzi Entertainment — Miracle Child (Deluxe)
- Best Contemporary Music Album: Spoegwolf — Eindbestemming
- Remix of the Year: Mpho.Wav — Hlala
- Rest of Africa Award (South Africans Excluded): Ayra Starr — The Year I Turned 21
- Best African Indigenous Faith Album: JTG Gospel Choir — Morena Re Ya Leboga
- Best Contemporary Faith Music Album: Takie Ndou — The Glory.