The local music industry can’t place the blame for its current state solely on the Covid-19 pandemic; it’s been in a mess for a while
South Africa’s latest singing sensation Zahara cleaned up at the 18th annual South African Music Awards, walking away with eight trophies.
The Eastern Cape singer, overwhelmed by the accolades, opened the evening with her hit song Loliwe.
Another big winner and a crowd favourite was the new soulful house group, Mi Casa, whose performance of These Streets had everyone on their feet.
The two-day event kicked off on Sunday with the non-broadcasting show which focused on technical excellence and sales. Lifetime achievement awards were given to Ray Phiri and Vusi Mahlasela who sang an acoustic duet of Bright Blue’s hit, Weeping.
Other winners for the evening were:
Best Producer
Dan Roberts — Six Winters by Laurie Levine
Best Engineer
Johan van der Colff — Loliwe by Zahara
Best Video of the Year
Ryan Peimer — It’s Magic by The Parlotones
Best Live DVD
Simphiwe Dana — An Evening with Simphiwe Dana (Live in Concert)
Remix of the Year
DJ Sbu — Lengoma featuring Zahara
Best Selling True–Tone Download of the Year
DJ Cleo — Facebook
Best Selling Ring–Back–Tone of the Year
DJ Cleo — Facebook
Best Selling Full–Track Download of the Year
Zahara — Loliwe
SAMPRA Most Played Song on South African Radio in 2011
Liquiddeep — Alone
Winners at the live broadcast:
Best Alternative Album
The Dirty Skirts — Lost In The Fall
Best Kiddies Album
Wendy Oldfield — Singalong Kidz Volume 2
Best Smooth Urban Music Album
Zahara — Loliwe
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album
The Plain Truth — We Are The Shining Ones
Best Classical and Instrumental Album
CH2 — Ping
Best Collaboration
Zahara featuring Georgy — Incwad’Encane
Best Jazz Album
Jimmy Dludlu — Tonota
Best Pop Album
Lloyd Cele — One
Best African Adult Album
Zonke — Ina Ethe
Best Rock Album
Shadowclub — Guns and Money
Best Traditional Music Album
Soul Brothers — Amaphutha
Best Traditional Faith Music Album
Solly Mahlangu — Mwamba Mwamba
Best Street Urban Music Album
AKA — Altar Ego
Best Sokkie Dans Album
Snotkop — Ek Laaik Van Jol
Best Adult Contemporary Album
Elvis Blue for Elvis Blue (2CD Special Edition)
Best Maskandi Album
Thokozani Langa — Protection Order
Best Kwaito Album
Big Nuz for Pound — Pound
Best Dance Album
Mi Casa — Mi Casa Music
Special Award: Best Selling Album
Zahara — Loliwe
Special Award: MTN Best Selling Mobile Music Download
DJ Cleo — Facebook
Newcomer of the Year
Zahara — Loliwe
Duo/Group of the Year
Mi Casa — Mi Casa Music
Male Artist of the Year
AKA — Altar Ego
Female Artist of the Year
Zahara — Loliwe
MTN Record of the Year
Mi Casa — These Streets
Album of the Year
Zahara — Loliwe