Durban becomes new SAMAs homeThe 29th annual SAMAs - which will be staged on 17 and 18 November - are headed to Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
by Nokuthula Ngcobo
03-10-2023 17:28
in Entertainment
Risa is now calling for entries for the Lifetime Achievement and International Achievement Awards. Image via Facebook: Sjava
The South African Music Awards (SAMAs) have found a new home in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), where this year's 29th annual event will be held on 17 and 18 November.
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After years at the Sun City in North West, the organisers of the hotly awards show have confirmed KZN as the new host for the next three years.
ALSO READ: SAMAs behind schedule due to financial issues
SAMAS GO TO KZN Speaking during the nominations ceremony at The Soweto Theatre in Jabulani on Tuesday, Siboniso Duma - KZN's MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) - said: We have no doubt that the entire tourism industry and other sectors of our economy will be stimulated.
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The tourism sector is a key economic driver, and events of this magnitude have a positive tourism value chain. It will increase our hotel occupancy rates, restaurants will be buzzing with patrons, and car hire services and shuttles will have a flow of clients. In essence, hosting the SAMAs will have impactful economic spin-offs for the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
ALSO READ: Author threatens to sue SAMAs for killing' him
RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi congratulated the nominees: We are proud to present the class of SAMA29 who over a 14-month period put out some of the best tunes, collaborations and music videos in the country. We commend their artistry, resilience and tenacity that have led to them rising to the top and positioning themselves to be in line for the highest music accolade South Africa can bestow on an artist. We wish them well as we embark on the road to SAMA29 in KwaZulu-Natal.
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ALSO READ: They represent a looted SOE': Zakes Bantwini slams SAMAs
AKA LEADS NOMINATION PACK Slain rapper AKA, real name Kiernan Forbes, leads the nomination pack at this year's SAMAs with a total of seven nominations for his posthumous album Mass Country.
The Fela In Versace hitmaker is nominated for Male Artist of the Year, Best Engineered Album, Best Collaboration (with two songs), Album of the Year, Best Produced Music Video and Best Hip Hop Album.
ALSO READ: SAMAs need to respect us': Amapiano stars call out awards show
Fellow rapper KO follows with six nominations, while gospel singer Ntokozo Mbambo is the rose among the thorns as the only female artist to be nominated for the Album of the Year. The Jehova Is Your Name hitmaker is competing with AKA, KO, Sjava and Kabza De Small.
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Durban becomes new SAMAs homeThe 29th annual SAMAs - which will be staged on 17 and 18 November - are headed to Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
