MUSICIANS from all over the continent are eligible to enter for possible nominations in the South African Music Awards (SAMAs), NewsDay Life & Style can reveal.
SAMAs are held annually in South Africa by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA) to celebrate, acknowledge and encourage musicians as well as honour the hard work they put into their careers.
In an effort to raise more awareness about the awards and their requirements, RISA director of communications Lesley Lehlohonolo Mofokeng explained in an exclusive interview with NewsDay Life & Style recently during a SAMAs wrap up party the criteria for singers from the motherland.
“We would like to extend an invitation to all artistes from the African continent to take advantage of a category called ‘Rest of Africa’ (ROA), which is open for artistes from any music genre,” he said.
“The entrants will be required to provide proof in the form of a valid passport or permanent residency issued by any African country that is all that is needed. In addition, it’s wise that they ensure that the music they enter qualifies in the period under review for that particular SAMAs.
"All they have to do is visit our website www.sa.co.za and follow the steps on how to submit their music for consideration.”
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Mofokeng said the category was created to cater for the rest of the continent after South Africa saw the role it plays on the motherland.
“In seeking to unify the industry, we decided to come up with this category and ensure African music and artistes get a platform to shine on the national SA Musical Awards,” he said.
“It has been about a little more than five years now since the SAMAs established this category of ROA. We have had winners from across Africa, including Nigeria, Kenya and, in fact, our reigning ROA winner is Kudzi from Zimbabwe.
“We are very proud of this category and we believe it will take us far in uniting African music and ensuring that South Africans are seen as part of the continent and the fact that African music has a place in the SA scene.”
The SAMAs will be opening soon for the 31st edition and Mofokeng hinted that they intend to go back to their traditional calendar holding the SAMAs in the first quarter of the year.
“Be on the lookout on our social media platforms and take advantage of this opportunity to establish yourself in this vibrant and competitive market of SA music as well as the continent.
“So I call on musicians from Uganda, Zimbabwe, Angola, Nigeria everywhere in Africa. Best of wishes to you all,” Mofokeng said.
The 30th annual event of the SAMAs, which coincided with 30 years of SA democracy, were celebrated with a loud bang after RISA successfully remodelled its image and brought back what they had initially been known and loved for.
The awards’ popularity had dwindled over the years, but this year’s instalment sent social media into a frenzy, with the audience appreciating all the returning stars of yesteryear blended with the new kids on the block.
The theme was #lessnoise#moremusic and saw more than 62 acts perform live on stage within three hours of the show.