Knowing the news about this year's SAMAs is like having a check-up at the dentist - you have to keep going back and back, even though the dentist could fix your problem in your first appointment.
The SAMA nominees and other news has been released in so many phases over the past month, it's difficult to keep up so we've compiled this wrap of everything, with the latest:
THE STORY SO FAR
Tap these links for the articles on TVSA published so far:
First nominees and TV Times
Top 5 category nominees
Record of the Year public vote nominees
THE LATEST
The hosts
Somizi returns to host again this year and will be joined by Dineo Ranaka and comedian Mpho Popps.
Record of the Year category
The Record of the Year nominees have been whittled down to 10 after the first round of voting. These are the finalists, with their voting numbers:
1. Don’t Forget To Pray - AKA and Anatii *120*2003*01#
2. I Do - LaSauce featuring Amanda *120*2003*02#
3. Inde - Heavy K *120*2003*03#
4. Love You Still - DJ Kent *120*2003*04#
5. My Baby - Lady Zamar *120*2003*05#
6. Ngiyaz’fela Ngawe - Kwesta featuring Thabsie *120*2003*06#
7. Omunye - Distruction Boyz *120*2003*07#
8. Spirit - Kwesta *120*2003*08#
9. Suited - Shekhinah *120*2003*09#
10. The World Is Yours - AKA *120*2003*10#
Voting remains open and the winner will be announced at the ceremony. To vote for the winner by USSD line, you need to send the number of the artist, for example, if you're voting for Shekhinah: *120*2003*09#.
USSD is charged at R1.50 per minute and free minutes don't apply.
Achievement Award winners
These are the
Lifetime Achievement winners, with biographical info. by the SAMAs:
Spokes H
Spokes H will be honoured posthumously.
Born Letona Spokes Hlatshwayo, he became a household name in the 1980s with hit songs such as Tamatisous and carried on the winning streak into the 1990s with anthems like Rabaki and Peace Magents.
Spokes H is remembered for his irreverent and comical lyrics. He died aged 45 in 2013.
Steve Kekana
Steve, 59, lost his sight at age five and attended a school for the blind in Polokwane. He discovered his singing voice there and became a member of amateur groups as a teen.
In 1979 and 1980 he won the SABC Black Music Award as the best male vocalist. His song Raising My Family was a hit in Europe.
He has more than 40 albums to his credit and gave a generation a soundtrack with chart toppers like Feel So Strong (featuring Hotline).
Kekana holds a B Juris and LLB degree and is an advocate and a lecturer in Labour Law at the University of South Africa.
Mbongeni Ngema
A writer, lyricist, composer, director and theatre producer, Mbongeni started his career as a theatre backing guitarist.
He is synonymous with some of the nation’s most iconic theatre/film productions such as Sarafina! Woza Albert, Asinamali and Magic at 4am that all boast stunning soundtracks that he composed.
His greatest hit Stimela Sase Zola catapulted him to the heights of musical acclaim and popularity. Ngema has released over 10 albums to date.
With a knack to discover talent, it’s through his works that countless singers, actors, playwrights, composers, choreographers and theatrical directors found their voice.
The
International Achievement Award goes to
Shashika Mooruth:
Shashika has put South Africa on the map in Indian music. She has achieved acclaim as a recording artist and as a producer.
Her album Krishna, The Flute Player featured on the Billboard charts on its release. Her single It’s Sa Ga Sa Ga Ma was nominated in the Best World Music Song at the Roundglass Music Awards in the US this year.
Her song The Flute Breathes was also nominated for the Global Peace Song Awards in the World Music category in the US last year.
She has enjoyed critical acclaim with Krishna, The Flute Player all over the world with rave reviews flowing in, including a Top 100 spot in the World Albums for the first round voting at The Grammys.
Her music has been included in the Music Appreciation and World Music classes at Emerson College in Boston.
Accomplished composer and arranger Menlikol, who lectures on the subject, wrote that he chose the album for its stunning production, amazing arrangements and incredible compositions.
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The SAMAs ceremony will be held at Sun City on Saturday, 2 June and airs live on SABC1 at 20h00.