In October 2025, the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) officially unveiled the nominees for the 2025 South African Music Awards (SAMA31) – a dazzling roll call across 25 categories, revealed during a high-energy virtual showcase that pulled fans directly into the pulse of the nation’s music scene.
RiSA has also announced that the 31st Annual South African Music Awards (SAMA31) will take place on 14 December 2025 in a reimagined hybrid format.
This evolution blends digital innovation with traditional celebration, creating a more accessible and interactive experience for fans across South Africa and beyond. Ahead of the main event, RiSA has also revealed the SAMA31 Top 20 nominees, highlighting the country’s most outstanding musical talent of the year.
Facing a challenging sponsorship climate and limited funding, RiSA has opted for a streamlined, digitally driven event rather than a traditional large-scale gala. The hybrid format allows for broader participation, live-streamed performances, interactive fan zones, and behind-the-scenes content, all while maintaining the prestige, credibility, and independent oversight that define the SAMAs.
SAMA spokesperson Unati Gwija emphasizes that this shift represents evolution rather than compromise. By embracing a digital-first approach, the SAMAs can engage new audiences, explore innovative sponsorship models, and ensure long-term sustainability. The awards will continue to celebrate artistic excellence, cultural impact, and inclusivity across South Africa’s music ecosystem.
With support from partners including the Motsepe Foundation, SAMPRA, SAMRO, CAPASSO, YouTube, and SABC, SAMA31 aims to merge tradition with innovation, local excellence with global reach, and highlight the artistry and stories shaping South Africa’s vibrant music landscape. As Gwija concludes, the mantra of the SAMAs remains: Less Noise. More Music.
SAMA31 will be a night where artistry, rhythm, and reinvention converge in a bold reimagining of what an awards celebration can be.
Check out the full list of SAMA31 Nominees below:
Best Adult Contemporary Album
- uKhisimusi – An African Christmas – Just 6 (Nkosilathi Sibanda)
- Seven – Melanie Scholtz
- Room For Everyone – Tony Drake (Anthony John Drake)
- Nonyezi – Nue Sam (Nosipho Khuzwayo)
- Look At You Now – The Morning After (Dirk Klut)
Best African Adult Contemporary Album
- UMI – Zamajobe (Zamajobe Sithole)
- Sankofa – Thandiswa Mazwai
- Nomthandazo – Zoe Modiga (Palesa Nomthandazo Phumelele Modiga)
- Isibusiso Sami – Ndu Shezi (Sigauqwe)
- Indumiso YabeNguni – Mthuthu (Ntuthuko Mfanafuthi Ndebele)
Best Afro Pop Album
- Twenty Four – Nomfundo Moh (Nomfundo Ngcobo)
- Malik – Malik (Sabelo Zwane)
- Isibuko (Deluxe) – Sjava (Jabulani Hadebe)
- Inkanyezi (Live) – Sjava (Jabulani Hadebe)
- Collaborations With Friends – Dalom Kids (Montana Thokozai Mhlongo)
Best Alternative Album
- Unyazi – Yoav & Jabulile Majola (Yoav Sadan)
- Perspective: Black – Zādok (Tshepo Khutsoane)
- Hindsight 2020 – Francis Soal (Benjamin de Kock)
- Emlotheni – Th&o. (Thando Kunene)
- Berge – Spoegwolf (Danie Du Toit)
Best Amapiano Album
- Your Piano Is Not My Piano – Vigro Deep (Kamogeo Phetla)
- Sewe – Kelvin Momo (Kelvin Momo Letwaba)
- Ntsako – Kelvin Momo (Thato Kelvin Letwaba)
- Midnight in Sunnyside 3 – Mellow & Sleazy (Phemelo Given Sefanyetso “Mellow”)
- Inja Ye Game – Zee Nxumalo (Zandile Ndlovu)
Best Classical/Instrumental Album
- In the Morning – John Lundun (Chuene Reshoketjwe Marakalala)
- By Alle Skone Dinge – Chris Vale, Eugene Joubert & Franco Prinsloo, Marlize Hattingh (Christopher Vale, Eugene Joubert & Franco Prinsloo)
- Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper – Derek Gripper
- A Season in Paradise – Vox Chamber Choir & Franco Prinsloo (Vox Chamber Choir, Franco Prinsloo)
- Awake for 22 Hours – Orecchiette (Pascal Righini)
Best Collaboration
- “Waze Wamuhle” – Kelvin Momo (Thato Kelvin Letwaba)
- “Takala” – Black Motion (Thabo Roy Mabogwane)
- “Ematshwaleni” – Kususa (Joshua Sihle Sokweba)
- “Stay With Me” – Matt Davies (Matthew Kyle Davies)
- “Amalanga” – Mas Musiq, Lawd Weezy & DJ Maphorisa ft TO Starquality, Chley & Kabza De Small (Mas Musiq / Thabo Martin Ngubane)
Best Dance Album
- The Cradle Of Art – Black Motion (Thabo Mabogwane)
- Finally Famous Too – Dlala Thukzin (Thuthuka Zindlovu)
- Cr4zy!!.. – MÖRDA (Bongani Mahosana)
- Dreaming – Shimza (Ashley Raphala)
- Caiiro – Caiiro (Patrick Mthimunye)
Best Engineered Album
- The Cradle Of Art – Black Motion (Thabo Roy Mabogwane)
- Sankofa – Thandiswa Mazwai
- Isibuko (Deluxe) – Sjava (Jabulani Hadebe)
- Reawakening – Keenan Meyer (Keenan John Meyer)
- Feathers & Stone – Jeremy Loops (Jeremy Thomas Hewitt)
Best Gqom Album
- Tronics Land 3 – Mr Thela (Simphiwe Leonard Sihawu)
- The Rebellion – DJ Lag (Lwazi Asanda Gwala)
- Play At Your Own Risk – Goldmax (Zipho Mthembu)
- Nande 3.0 – DJ Sandiso (Sandiso Gebashe)
- Next Level – Lelowhatsgood (Ntsikelelo Meslani)
Best Hip Hop Album
- See U Soon Delux – Blxckie (Sihle Sithole)
- Red October: Induction – Tony Dayimane (Sbongakonke Mfundo Mchunu)
- Pray 4 Pitori – Loatinover Pounds (Loatile Mangadi)
- Audio 2D; Dear Darkie – Sizwe Alakine (Sizwe Moeketsi)
- Loyal To The Plug: The Life & Times of Don Kilograms – 25K (Lehlohonolo Molefe)
Best Jazz Album
- uNomkhubulwane – Nduduzo Makhathini
- Terra Solus – Nick Ford
- Ndilapha – Nomfundo Xaluva
- Hope Dies Last – Peter Auret
- Apho Kungenje – Ncesh Nonxishi
Best Maskandi Album
- Ngathi Nguye – Umafikizolo
- iPolotiki – Phuzekhemisi
- Angidlali Nezingane – Khuzani
- Alingeni – Ntencane
- Amathambo Kagogo – Imithente
Best Produced Album
- UMI – Zamajobe (Zamajobe Sithole)
- The Cradle Of Art – Black Motion (Thabo Roy Mabogwane)
- Sankofa – Thandiswa Mazwai
- Reprise on 2nd Avenue – Qü (Sakumuzi Qumana)
- iLadi – Linda Sikhakhane (Linda Nhlakanipho Sikhakhane)
Best Produced Music Video
- “Umbuzo” – Soa Mattrix
- “Gucci (Official Music Video)” feat. MaWhoo – Mthandeni SK
- “Tshwala Bam (Remix)” – TitoM & Yuppe
- “South” – Blxckie
- “Risk” (ft. Moliy) – Shekhinah
Best R&B/Soul Album
- Too Many Promises – Mikhalé Jones (Mikhale Megan Jones)
- Stone Cold Heart – Elaine (Ndivhuwo Elaine Mukheli)
- On Air – Filah Lah Lah (Reabetswe Ranamane)
- It’s Clear To See – Clxrity (Charles Nkateko Hlulani Shilowa)
- Heartbreak Hotel (Deluxe) – The Big Hash (Reabetswe Kungwane)
Best Reggae Album
- Mekwei – Dread Lloyd (Lonwabo Nokilana)
- The Rise – Anela Jahmena (Anela Stuurman)
- Flaws in Frame – Dimahr (Caroline Phillips)
- After All – Luwe Da Lion (Lunga Hercules Wela)
- Area Code – Botanist Mr Lamington (Emmanuel Mohlomi)
Best Rock Album
- Vir Mekaar – Bloumoord (Tiaan Enslin)
- These Blues Might Get You Too – MaxX & Love (Katlego Monticoe)
- The World We Know – Prime Circle (Marco Sergio Gomes)
- Old Wounds – The Man Motels
- Look At You Now – The Morning After (Dirk Klut)
Best Traditional Faith Music Album
- Uyinqaba Yam (Jehovah Nissi) – Betusile (Betusile Mcinga)
- The Journey (Part 1) – Tebs David (Tebogo David Maponya)
- The Full Circle Revival – Malusi Mbokazi (Mthokozisi Shephred Mbokazi)
- Rofhiwa Dzina – Rofhiwa Manyaga (Rofhiwa Percy Manyaga)
- According to Grace, A One Man Show – Ayanda Ntanzi
Best Traditional Music Album
- O Moleele – Keitumetse Mangate Production (Keitumetse Mangate)
- Mmakgodu – MmaAusi (Galaletsang MmaAusi Lekoma)
- Miracle Child (Deluxe) – Makhadzi Entertainment (Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona)
- Kwanomthandazo – Sabu Jiyana (Siyabulela Jiyana)
- Bakokota (EP) – Pleasure Tsa Manyalo (Pleasure Ramadimetja Peta)
Best Afrikaans Contemporary Music Album
- Tussen Rooi en Groen – Spoegwolf
- Middelkind – Hunter Kennedy
- Lelie – Droomsindroom
- Die Ander Kant – Ivan Roux
- As Ek Val – Early B (Earl Swartz)
Best Adult Contemporary Album
- Whistle – Gabi Motuba (Gabi Nkganye Motuba)
- Try Again – Majozi (Nhlanhla Majozi)
- Lullabies for Hope – Vuma Levin
- The Light – Paxton Fielies (Paxton)
- The Singing Violin – Neo Motsatse
Best Alternative Music Album
- Kwa Nobantu – Bongeziwe Mabandla
- Patience – Alice Phoebe Lou
- Nostalgia – Civil Twilight
- Blck Hze – Psyc’adelik Hiii
- Vuur en Vlam – Van Pletzen
Best African Adult Contemporary Album
- Ubuntu – Ami Faku
- Thando – Simphiwe Dana
- iLobolo – Mandisi Dyantyis
- Ithemba – Nduduzo Makhathini
- Ingoma – Sibusile Xaba
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album
- According to Grace, A One Man Show – Ayanda Ntanzi
- Imvuselelo – Omega Khunou
- Thando Lwakho – HLE (Hlengiwe Ntombela)
- Ngiyabonga – Khaya Mthethwa
- The Love Encounter – Takie Ndou
Rest of Africa (South Africans Excluded)
- Ayra Starr (The Year I Turned 21)
- Bensoul (The Party & After Party)
- Wizkid (Morayo),
- Tems (Born in the Wild)
- Fireboy DML (Adedamola).
Male artist of the year
- Ayanda Ntanzi
- LUWE DA LION
- Khuzani
- Kelvin Momo
- Goldmax
Female artist of the year
- Makhadzi Entertainment
- Thandiswa Mazwai
- Melanie Scholtz
- Elaine
- Zee Nxumalo.
Duo or group of the year
- MaxX & Love
- Black Motion
- JTG Gospel Choir
- Spoegwolf
- Kususa
Album of the year
- Ayanda Ntanzi
- LUWE DA LION
- Kelvin Momo
- Goldmax
- Thandiswa Mazwai.
Newcomer of the year:
- Ncesh Nonxishi
- House of Mercy
- Nontokozo Mkhize
- Mmangaliso
- Umafikizolo
Well, there you have it, the full list of SAMA31 nominees. Congratulations goes out to all of them!
Watch this space for updates in the Music News category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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