The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) has published the nominees for the 32nd South African Music Awards (SAMA32). The ceremony is scheduled for 15 August 2026 at the Sun City Superbowl in the North West Province, marking a return to the venue.
Ceremony Details
The 2026 edition brings the awards back to Sun City, a location with a long association with major South African entertainment events. The ceremony will feature 25 competitive categories, while the top five categories have not yet been disclosed.
Nominee Highlights
The nominee list spans multiple genres. In the Amapiano field, Kabza De Small, De Mthuda, Kelvin Momo and Babalwa M received nominations. Afro Pop contenders include Sjava, Nomfundo Moh, Samthing Soweto, CiCi and Lwah Ndlunkulu. Hip hop nominations went to Nasty C, FLVME, MashBeatz and the late Riky Rick.
Faith and traditional music categories feature Bucy Radebe, Zaza, Sindi Ntombela, Hle, Makhadzi Entertainment, King Monada, Mzukulu and Soul Brothers. Production and collaboration credits include DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, Sam Deep and Nasty C, who appear across multiple categories.
The Rest of Africa category includes Wizkid, Asake, Tiwa Savage, Olamide, Black Sherif and Gyakie.
Category Nominees
Best Adult Contemporary Album
- Abel Selaocoe’s “Four Spirits” (Live) – Abel Selaocoe, Aurora Orchestra, Nicholas Collon, Bernhard Schimpelsberger
- Buzzhead – Kahn Morbee
- Malachi’s Dream – Tim Parr
- Wrapped in Rhythm, Vol.2 – Tutu Puoane, Metropole Orkest & Jacome Bairos
- You Love Who You Love – Wandile Mbambeni
Best African Adult Contemporary Album
- Isitifiketi – Jabulile Majola
- KwaNtu – Madala Kunene & Sibusile Xaba
- Moya – Simphiwe Dana
- Ngimuhle – Zawadi Yamungu
- ZINZA – BandaBanda
Best African Indigenous Faith Album
- Difela – De Bruin Gospel Projects
- Monghali Mesia – Amadodana Ase Wesile
- NGIYA BONGA BABA – THE NEW BELIEVERS OF GOD GOSPEL SINGERS
- The Journey Continues – Abanqobi
- U TA HLAMULA – Zion Iskhalanga Academy
Best Afro Pop Album
- Amaciko – Lwah Ndlunkulu
- Busisiwe 2.0 – CiCi
- Inkanyezi 2.0 (Live) – Sjava
- Out The Box – Nomfundo Moh
- Touch is a Move (Good Morning) – Samthing Soweto
Best Alternative Album
- From The Hill – Charles Webster
- Furniture – 44coles
- Handsome Luke & The Heartbreakers – Mars Baby
- Listen Properly – Bombshelter Beast
- THROWING STONES – Archi
Best Amapiano Album
- Acquiesce – Babalwa M
- Bab’Motha – Kabza De Small
- Mthuthuzeli – De Mthuda
- N’wana Wa Mutsonga – Kelvin Momo
- Thato Ya Modimo – Kelvin Momo
Best Classical Instrumental Album
- First Light – Marius Small-Smith
- Let the Children Play – John Lundun
- Light the Whole Sky – University of Pretoria Camerata
- Orchestrations – Guy Buttery
- Radio Gogo Worldwide – uBeyond
