By Constance Gaanakgomo.
2024 has been “Tyla’s year” by most accounts, and the Water hit-maker is set to end the year on a high after winning four awards at this year’s South African Music Awards (SAMAs).
The Grammy award-winning singer has been collecting trophies and recognition abroad, and on Saturday, the South African Music Awards also gave her flowers.
The Truth or Dare singer took home the Ukhozi FM Female Artist of the Year, SANTAM Newcomer of the Year and Best Pop Album for her self-titled debut album, Tyla.
She was also honoured with the International Achievement accolade, taking her tally to four.
Already a Grammy, BET Awards and MTV Music Awards winner, Tyla adds the most prestigious South African music accolade to her cabinet of trophies.
Other big winners of the night are the duo of Amapiano titans Kabza De Small and Mthunzi.
This year, their Isimo collaboration earned them SAMPRA Album of the Year, Radio 2000 Duo/Group of the Year, and Motsweding FM Best Amapiano Album.
Kabza De Small continues his trajectory of winning multiple trophies at the SAMAs after he cleaned out in 2023 as well.
Boasting a double whammy of trophies, uGatsheni was announced as the winner of Lesedi FM Male Artist of the Year and Best Maskandi Album awards for Uyihlo noNyoko.
Here is a complete list of SAMAs winners:
Best Adult Contemporary Album
Stimela – Drakensberg Boys Choir
Ikwekwezi FM Best African Adult Contemporary Album
Sane – Brenda Mtambo
Best Afro-pop Album
Imizwa – Lwah Ndlunkulu
Best Alternative Album
I’m With the Singer – I’m With the Singer
Motsweding FM Best Amapiano Album
Isimo – Kabza De Small and Mthunzi
Best Classical/Instrumental Album
End of the Beginning – Fanie Dick
Best Collaboration
iPlan – Dlala Thukzin, Sykes and Zaba
Best Dance Album
Permanent Music 3 – Dlala Thukzin
Best Engineered Album
Reimagined – The Soil
Best Gqom Album
We Don’t Play the Same Gqom – QueDj
Best Hip Hop Album
Dust – Priddy Ugly
Best Jazz Album
Enhlizweni: Song From My Heartland – Steve Dyer
Best Kwaito Album
Most Wanted – Sykes
Best Maskandi Album
Uyihlo noNyoko – uGatsheni
Best Pop Album
Tyla – Tyla
Best Produced Album
No Other Love – David Watkyns
Best Produced Music Video
Dali by Kamo Mphela – Kudzi
Best R&B/Soul Album
Testament – Lordkez
Best Reggae Album
Give Praises – Skeleton Blazer
Best Rock Album
Dans Deur Die Donker – Fokofpolisiekar
Best Traditional Faith Music Album
Mo Roriseng – Omega Khunou
Best Traditional Music Album
Hamba Naye – Soul Brothers
Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album
Estetika – Elandré
Beste Pop
Almal Gly – Die Piesangskille
Remix of the Year
Weekend Special (Jnr SA remix) – Jnr SA
Rest of Africa
Son of a Tribe (Royalty Edition) – Edgar Muzah (Zimbabwe)
Best African Indigenous Faith Album
Soothe My Soul: Songs From Our South African Church – Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Best Contemporary Faith Album
Unusual – Xolly Mncwango
Lesedi FM Male Artist of the Year
UGatsheni – Uyihlo noNyoko
Ukhozi FM Female Artist of the Year
Tyla – Tyla
Radio 2000 Duo/Group of the Year
Isimo – Kabza De Small and Mthunzi
SANTAM Newcomer of the Year
Tyla – Tyla
SAMPRA Album of the Year
Isimo – Kabza De Small and Mthunzi.