When you switch on the radio and hear some South African tunes coming through your speakers, you should be filled with pride about the quality of singers and producers. Over the years , SA artists have caught up with their international counterparts. Except for our country’s unique flavour, it is sometimes hard to tell the difference. With this advancement, it’s necessary for South Africa to celebrate these artist that make us sing and jika.

Last night was supposed to be spectacular as Sun City hosted the 20th annual South African Music Awards (the SAMAs). But sadly the #officialSAMAS clearly missed the mark. In this respect, we are far from the likes of overseas award ceremonies such as the Grammys.

The event kicked off with two performances. The first performance which included The Maestros, among others was a lackluster.

The second was by iFani who points out that he can do maths in his song:

“First you make a hundred, then you make a thousand, then a hundred thousand, do the same thing ’til you get half a milli – and just before you know it, you got a mili”. What a groundbreaking statement. Clearly, the Computer Science graduate learnt something at UCT. iFani fans will be glad to know that he won a SAMA for Best Hip Hop Album last night.

This was then followed by some bad presenting of the Best Rock album and the Best Pop Album categories. Vusi Nova and  Zikhona Sodlaka seemed unprepared and unprofessional as they read the script in front of them. One could excuse this though, public speaking is daunting. Things got worse from there when the winners of the Best Rock Album, Van Coke Cartel was given a new name. The female of the pair announced it as “Van Cook Cartel”.

Many South African artists took the stage last night including Naima Kay, Gangs of Ballet, Danny K , Judith Sephuma, Karlien van Jaarsveld (definitely the best dressed of the evening), Character and Zakes Bantwini(damn that boy is fine).

Celebrating 20 years of SA music 

Recent Grammy winners, Ladysmith Black Mambazo also performed last night wowing the crowd once again with one of South Africa’s favorite songs from the group called “Homeless”. The male isicathamiya group’s song released in 1986 is considered a protest song. We celebrated 20 years of freedom just the day before this particular event. The performance of “Homeless” highlighted how far we’ve come. Back in those days, songs were used to tell the stories of South Africa’s plight. Today, it’s hard to believe that  songs can still be banned from mainstream media. During the performance, the camera zoomed in on J Something who was jika-ing to the song. Micasa was the surprise of the night. One would have expected them to scoop more awards than they did. They walked away with one (unbelievable right?) award for Best Dance Album which the band was well-suited  for. While some would argue they were not “well suited” in real life! They were dressed in matching black hooded blazers with red polka dot pants and ties.

This band is made up of a Portuguese white guy who speaks Zulu and two black guys  – something that would be banned in Apartheid South Africa. It’s a true reflection of how far we’ve come – in music and as a nation.

It was a great night for come-back kids Mafikizolo who received a whopping eight SAMAs.

The full list of winners for the Samas 2014:

Best Pop Album:
Mafikizolo – Reunited

Best Rock Album:
Van Coke Kartel – Bloed. Sweet & TraneBeste Pop Album:

Karlien van Jaarsveld – Uitklophou

Best Adult Contemporary Album:
Shaun Jacobs – Love Can

Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album:

Elvis Blue – Afrikaans

Best African Adult Album:

Zonke – Give And Take Live

Best Alternative Album:
Nakhane Tour – Brave Confusion

Best RnB, Soul and Reggae:
The Soil – Reflections Live In Joburg

Best Kwaito Album:
Big Nuz – Made In Africa

Best Rap Album:
iFani – I Believes In Me (1st Quadrant)

Best Traditional Faith Music:
Rebecca – Bayos’Khomba  – no surprise here, this is her 15th SAMA. Molope says she is working on her 36th album.

Best Dance Album:

Mi Casa – Su Casa

Best Contemporary Faith Music Album:
Nqubeko Mbatha- Sentiments Of A Worshiper

Best Traditional Album:
Dr. Thomas Chauke Na Shinyori Sisters – Shimatsatsa No 32

Best Maskandi Album:
Thokozani Langa – Inyakanyaka

Best Jazz Album:
Shane Cooper – Oscillations

Best Classical and/or Instrumental Album:
Guy Buttery – Live In KwaZulu

Best Live DVD:
Zonke – Give and Take Live

Best Collaboration:
Mafikizolo Ft May D – Happiness

Music Video of the Year:
The Parlotones, Khuli Chana & Jon Savage – Sleepwalker

Best Selling DVD:
Joyous Celebration – Gartefeul vol.17

Best Selling Mobile Music Download:
Mafikizolo – Khona

Best Ring Back Tone:
Mafikizolo – Khona

Best Selling Full Track Download:
Mafikizolo – Khona

Highest Airplay of the Year:
DJ Kent ft The Arrows – Spin My World Around

Best Selling Album of the Year:
Zahara – Phendula

Best Producer of the Year:
Darryl Torr – Yes/No/Grey

Best Engineer of the Year:
Peter Auret – Pimp My Piano

Remix of the Year:
Oskido – Tsa Ma Ndebele

Newcomer of the Year:
Naima Kay – Umsebenzi

Duo or Group of the Year:
Mafikizolo – Reunited

Female Artist of the Year:
Zahara – Phendula

Male Artist of the Year:
Kabomo – Memory Remains

Lifetime Achievement Award:
Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Phuzekemisi

International Achievement Award:
Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Album of the Year:

Mafikizolo – Reunited

Record of the Year:
Mafikizolo – Reunited

Congrats to all the winners but also the nominees. It’s becoming harder and harder to select winners from such a large pool of talent. Artists such as Johnny Clegg, Brenda Fassie and Mariam Makeba have provided us with the soundtrack to our freedom. Now they have passed the  musical baton to the artists of today who tell the tale of how far we have come in the music industry. The stars that don’t’ need bands to make us dance. We look forward to hearing what comes next in SA music.

Images: Lefty Shivambu, Gallo Images(Channel24)