SAMA32 Celebrates South African Music Excellence as Oskido, HLE and Tyla Lead a Night of Historic Wins
The 32nd South African Music Awards (SAMA32) returned to Sun City on Saturday for a major celebration of South African music, bringing together established stars, emerging artists and industry leaders for the Homecoming edition. The ceremony marked more than three decades of recognising the musicians, producers, composers and performers who have shaped the country’s diverse sound. The second night delivered a strong mix of gospel, maskandi, amapiano, pop, traditional music and contemporary sounds, reflecting the depth of South Africa’s music industry. Among the biggest winners was gospel singer and songwriter HLE, who collected multiple awards for her acclaimed album “The Ground We’re On”. The ceremony also celebrated the international achievements of Tyla and the lasting influence of legendary music entrepreneur DJ Oskido, making SAMA32 a showcase of both South Africa’s musical history and its future.
HLE emerged as one of the standout winners of SAMA32 after taking home the Lesedi FM Female Artist of the Year award and the SAMPrA Album of the Year award for “The Ground We’re On”. Her success continued after she also won Best Contemporary Faith Music Video during the Industry Awards. The three recognitions highlighted the strength of her artistry and the impact of her contribution to contemporary gospel music. “The Ground We’re On” has established HLE as one of the prominent voices in South African faith-based music, combining spiritual themes with a contemporary musical approach. Her performance and awards haul made her one of the defining figures of the Homecoming edition and reinforced the growing recognition of gospel music within the country’s broader recording industry.
Mzukulu also enjoyed a successful night, winning the Motsweding FM Male Artist of the Year award and the uKhozi FM Best Maskandi Album award for “Ng’funa Intozami”. His double victory underlined the continued strength of maskandi and its importance within South Africa’s musical landscape. Mzukulu was unable to attend the ceremony because he was at the funeral of Inkosi Yamagcokama, meaning he could not personally collect the honours on the night. His absence did not diminish the significance of his achievements, as the awards recognised both his popularity and his contribution to the maskandi genre. His success also demonstrated how SAMA32 continued to give space to musical traditions that have deep cultural roots while recognising artists who are taking those sounds to new audiences.
Amadodana Ase Wesile were another major winner, receiving the Radio 2000 Duo/Group of the Year award and winning Best African Indigenous Faith Album during the Industry Awards. Their recognition reflected the continued importance of group-based gospel music in South Africa and the enduring popularity of indigenous faith music. Nontokozo Mkhize added another major achievement by winning the SAMRO Highest Airplay Composer Award for “Esandleni”. The award recognised the reach of her composition through radio and highlighted the role that composers play in creating music that connects with large audiences. Rising artist Paras “Sibalukhulu” Dlamini was also recognised as SABC 1 Newcomer of the Year, providing a significant career milestone and demonstrating the SAMAs’ continued focus on identifying and supporting emerging talent.
Bucy Radebe won Best Traditional Faith Music Album for “Praise & Worship in the Wilderness, Pt. 1”, adding another important gospel and faith-based achievement to the evening. She later delivered a moving performance that brought a strong worship atmosphere to the ceremony and gave audiences a chance to experience the music that earned her recognition. Makhadzi Entertainment won Best Traditional Music Album for “Sesi Ka Rose”, with the artist expressing gratitude to God during her acceptance speech. Her victory reflected the continued popularity of traditional South African music and the ability of artists to build strong audiences around culturally rooted sounds. The award also added another important moment to a ceremony that placed musical diversity at the centre of its celebration.
The pop categories produced victories for both established and emerging artists. Will Linley was named the winner of Best Pop Album for “Don’t Cry Because It’s Over”, marking another significant achievement in his growing career. Brendan Peyper won Beste Pop Album for “Troumateriaal”, highlighting the continued strength of Afrikaans pop music within the South African recording industry. Kabza De Small was recognised as the winner of Best Amapiano Album for “Bab’Motha”, another major achievement for one of the country’s most influential amapiano figures. Kabza De Small was not present to collect the award, which prompted fans to question whether he would eventually attend an award ceremony in person. His win nevertheless reflected the continuing importance of amapiano, a genre that has moved from South African dance floors to audiences across the world.
The CAPASSO Most Streamed Song of the Year award went to “Abantwana Bakho” by DJ Maphorisa and XDuppy, featuring Thatohatsi, Young Stunna and Nkosazana Daughter. The award offered a clear indication of how streaming has transformed the way South African audiences consume music and how local artists now compete for attention in an increasingly global digital market. The song’s recognition also reflected the continued dominance of amapiano and related sounds across streaming platforms. Collaborations between established producers, vocalists and younger performers have become a defining feature of the modern South African music industry. The success of “Abantwana Bakho” therefore represents more than a single award, as it points to the collaborative and constantly evolving nature of the country’s contemporary sound.
One of the most memorable parts of the second night came during the Lifetime Achievement and International Recognition segment. DJ Oskido received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of more than 30 years of shaping South African music through his work as a DJ, producer and music entrepreneur. Oskido dedicated the honour to the late Lebo Mathosa, adding an emotional dimension to an award that celebrated his long and influential career. His contribution stretches across multiple eras of South African music and includes an important role in developing sounds and artists that helped define the country’s modern music industry. The Lifetime Achievement Award therefore recognised not only his individual career but also the broader legacy he helped build for future generations.
Tyla also received a major honour, taking home the AfriPure International Achievement Award for the second time. The Grammy-winning South African artist was recognised for her international breakthrough and her role in bringing South African pop, amapiano and Bacardi influences to audiences around the world. Her rise has demonstrated the growing ability of South African artists to compete on major international platforms while retaining elements of the country’s distinctive musical identity. Tyla’s recognition at SAMA32 also connected the ceremony to a wider story about South African music’s expanding global reach. Her continued international success provides a strong example of how artists from Mzansi can build careers that connect local musical traditions with international pop audiences.
Oskido and Tyla used their respective moments on stage to celebrate the wider music community rather than focusing only on their individual achievements. Both icons congratulated fellow nominees and encouraged artists to remain committed to their craft while continuing to pursue their ambitions. Their appearances represented two different generations of South African music, with Oskido embodying decades of industry experience and Tyla representing a new generation that has achieved global visibility. Their shared presence illustrated the connection between the pioneers who helped establish South Africa’s modern music industry and younger artists who are now taking those sounds into new markets. It was one of the clearest examples of the Homecoming edition’s broader message about heritage, achievement and the possibilities ahead.
RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi said the second night of SAMA32 demonstrated the depth, diversity and resilience of South African music. He described the ceremony as a celebration of generations of talent, creativity and perseverance, while highlighting artists who are shaping the country’s sound today and those whose contributions created the foundation for future musicians. SAMA32 spokesperson Unati Gwija similarly said the Homecoming edition had delivered on its promise to celebrate the full breadth of the country’s music industry. The comments reflected the wide range of winners across gospel, maskandi, amapiano, traditional music, pop and other genres. They also reinforced the idea that the SAMAs have become a platform for celebrating the entire music ecosystem rather than simply recognising commercial success.
SAMA32 has also grown beyond the traditional role of a music awards ceremony by contributing to the promotion of the North West Province as a destination for culture, tourism, creativity and investment. The event was supported by a broad partnership that included the Motsepe Foundation, the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, SA Tourism, SABC, IOL, Great Africa Group, SAMPRA, SAMRO, CAPASSO, RiSA, RiSA Audio Visual, MNM Funerals, Settlers Media and NX. These partnerships helped position the Homecoming edition as an event with significance beyond the entertainment industry. Hosting SAMA32 at Sun City also gave the North West an opportunity to showcase its tourism and cultural offering to audiences following the ceremony locally and internationally. The awards therefore served both as a celebration of music and as a platform for promoting the wider economic and cultural value of South Africa’s creative industries.
The full list of major Day Two winners captured the diversity of the 32nd South African Music Awards. HLE won Lesedi FM Female Artist of the Year and SAMPrA Album of the Year, while Mzukulu won Motsweding FM Male Artist of the Year and uKhozi FM Best Maskandi Album. Amadodana Ase Wesile won Radio 2000 Duo/Group of the Year, while Nontokozo Mkhize received the SAMRO Highest Airplay Composer Award and Paras “Sibalukhulu” Dlamini was named SABC 1 Newcomer of the Year. Tyla received the AfriPure International Achievement Award and Oskido received the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Bucy Radebe, Makhadzi Entertainment, Will Linley, Brendan Peyper and Kabza De Small were also recognised in their respective categories. DJ Maphorisa, XDuppy, Thatohatsi, Young Stunna and Nkosazana Daughter completed the major honours with the CAPASSO Most Streamed Song of the Year award for “Abantwana Bakho”.
The 32nd South African Music Awards ultimately delivered a strong statement about the scale and variety of South African music. HLE’s multiple victories highlighted the continued influence of gospel and contemporary faith music, while Mzukulu and Makhadzi Entertainment demonstrated the strength of traditional and indigenous sounds. Oskido’s Lifetime Achievement Award honoured a career that helped shape the country’s modern music industry, while Tyla’s second International Achievement Award reflected the growing global influence of South African artists. From established legends to newcomers such as Paras “Sibalukhulu” Dlamini, SAMA32 recognised different stages of musical careers and different forms of artistic expression. The Homecoming edition at Sun City showed that South African music continues to evolve while remaining firmly connected to the generations, cultures and creative voices that built its foundation.
