From KZN to PTA – Here's all you need to know about the Samas' big move

'It took some nifty footwork and agility to ensure that SAMA29 is saved and staged on the set date,' says RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi

06 November 2023 - 11:30
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K.O, the late AKA and other nominees for the 29th South African Music Awards are set to be honoured on November 18 at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria. File photo.
K.O, the late AKA and other nominees for the 29th South African Music Awards are set to be honoured on November 18 at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria. File photo.
Image: Twitter

After weeks of uncertainty stemming from the unforeseen withdrawal of the department of economic development, tourism & environmental affairs (Edtea) of KwaZulu-Natal, the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) has announced the SAMA29 show will go on.

This after communications manager at Risa and spokesperson for the Samas Lesley Mofokeng assured artists they would regroup and find a way to honour them. 

“As the Samas we are still going to regroup and find a way to make sure that we honour our artists. Regardless of what happened, the show will go on,” Lesley previously told TshisaLIVE. 

A statement shared on Monday revealed SAMA29 will be hosted in collaboration with Africa Fest on November 18 at the SunBet Arena at Time Square, Menlyn Maine, Pretoria, and will be broadcast live on SABC1 at 8pm.

Arnold Coleske of Africa Fest celebrated the partnership with the Samas, saying; “We are delighted to be working with SAMA29 as part of the Africa Fest inaugural offering.

“When RiSA approached us for this collaboration, we saw it as an opportunity for the industry to work together. Our dealings with each other have been seamless, we found a lot of common ground and synergies. This is a big win for South African music.”

An elated Nhlanhla Sibisi, CEO of RiSA, said: “It took some nifty footwork and agility to ensure that SAMA29 is saved and staged on the set date. We are humbled by the receptive and sympathetic nature of our partners at Africa Fest who showed that the industry can be stronger when we are together.

“This is a display of the Sesotho adage kopano ke matla (unity is strength). They have generously accommodated our programme and will be assisting in ensuring that the awards run as smoothly as possible with the highest production values befitting the calibre of our musicians. I have no doubt that it will be a memorable one.”

Tickets are available at Computicket from R200, and voters stand a chance to win R100,000 by voting for their favourite Music Video of the Year or Record of the Year.


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