It was business as usual for AFDA alumna Shekhinah at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) held over the weekend at Sun City. After being nominated for two awards Shekhinah walked off with the Best Pop Album award for her second album, Trouble in Paradise, which was released on the 6 May 2021.
At the SAMAs in 2018, only a year after she graduated from AFDA with a degree in Live Performance, Shekhinah was nominated for six SAMA’s and won three – Album of the Year, Best female artist and Best Newcomer for her debut album Rosegold. The album was certified platinum and became the highest South African streamed album. Rosegold was nominated for South African Female Artist of the Year at the 2018 AFRIMMA’s (African Muzik Magazine Awards).
This year the SAMAs attracted a record number of entries in the 28 years of the awards. Some 1395 submissions were received by the close of the call for entries at midnight on Thursday, 3 February 2022. Last year, the SAMAs earned 1163 entries, which marks an increase of over 230 this year. This exponential growth augurs well for the future of the music industry and the role SAMA continues to play.
“Our 28th instalment has certainly set the highest standard for live awards shows,” RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi said. “We are grateful to our hosts Nandi Madida and Lawrence Maleka, all the guest presenters, performers for making this an exceptional night. We are proud of all the 2022 winners as they maintained the bar that had been set. We had an unforgettable experience in Sun City and look forward to visiting again in 2023.”
The South African Music Awards is a premier music showcase hosted by RiSA. This annual event honours the country’s finest music talent over two days in key categories, as they battle for the South African industry’s highest honour – a statuette at the South African Music Awards. Nominees also take the stage by storm with a series of epic, never-to-be-repeated performances, as the nation watches SA’s finest talent at work.
