SAMA 12

The phenomenal originality and indisputably high standard of South African music was showcased at  the 12th Annual MTN SA Music Awards when  32 artists and individuals received  the most celebrated award the country has to offer. 

Judith Sephuma was among the frontrunners on a night which saw the stars of South Africa's entertainment world gather at the Sun City Superbowl  to celebrate the country's recording artists.. Going into the awards with an impressive five nominations, Sephuma's second album, ‘New Beginnings' earned three SAMAs – the highly coveted title of Best Female Artist as well as Best Producer and Best Engineer.

Sephuma is one of the SA Music Awards' classic  success stories. When she released ‘A Cry, A Smile, A Dance' in 2001, Sephuma was the recipient of two  SAMA's – Best Female Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album - at SAMA 8. Her debut album went on to sell platinum-plus, helped by the interest surrounding her success at the SA Music Awards..

Closely trailing Sephuma with two awards apiece in the adjudicated categories, were Brickz and Jimmy Dludlu.

Brickz was crowned Best Newcomer, and his album ‘Face-Brick' took home the SAMA for Best Kwaito Album. In triumphing in these two hotly-fought categories, Brickz proved - like Sephuma at SAMA 8. - that being new to the game is no barrier to making a head-spinning impact on the Annual SA Music Awards.

Making his presence felt at the award's ceremony was Tuks Senganga – this newcomer wasted no time in showing his hip-hop cred  by being honoured for Best Rap Album for ‘Mafoko A Me'. Black Coffee was also a first-time nominee, triumphing in the sizzling hot category of Best Dance Album for ‘Black Coffee'.

Performers on the night, Bongo Maffin, remain trendsetting stalwarts as witnessed by their win in the category Best Duo or Group for ‘New Construction'. Shwi Nomtekhala took home the SAMA for Best Selling Album of the Year for ‘Wangisiza Baba' – a recording that has ensured Maskandi music takes its place as one of the country's most beloved and devotedly followed music genres.

Malaika, whose self-titled debut was named Best Selling Album at SAMA 11, earned yet another accolade when their album ‘Vuthelani' was crowned Best African Pop Album. And the creative partnership of Wessel van Rensburg and McCoy Mrubata on the album, ‘Kulturation', took home the award for Best Instrumental Album, reprising a win the duo enjoyed as part of the Sheer All Stars at SAMA 9 for the album ‘Dance With Me'.

in the Best R&B Album category, Ishmael beat out the hefty competition to take home the SAMA .

The 12th Annual MTN SA Music Awards paid tribute to five individuals whose contribution to the South African music industry is unmatched in their particular fields – Rex Rabanye, Thandi Klaasen, Al Debbo, Joe Correira, and Piet Botha were all honoured on the night with Lifetime Achievement Awards in an emotional moment during the two-hour ceremony that was broadcast live on SABC 1.

Winning a 12th Annual Music Awards is the ultimate accolade for the proud owners of a SAMA in the categories adjudicated by the panel of judges – more than 800 entries were received for this year's ceremony ensuring the competition was tougher than ever before for those who triumphed at this spectacular event!