EIIGHANA! AFRICA.

The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) has announced that the 31st Annual South African Music Awards (SAMA31) will take place in the first half of 2025. This marks a return to the traditional scheduling of the awards prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will be broadcast live on SABC1 and streamed on YouTube.  
Key Dates and Eligibility
Entry Period: Submissions were accepted from December 10, 2024, to January 31, 2025, with an extension granted until February 10, 2025.  
Eligibility Window: Music released between April 16, 2024, and January 31, 2025, was eligible for consideration.  

 Award Categories and Selection Process
SAMA31 will honor excellence across more than 30 genre categories, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Music Video of the Year.  
Public Voting Categories: The Record of the Year and Music Video of the Year categories are determined through a combination of airplay and streaming data, rather than public submissions.  

 Prizes
Winners in various categories will receive cash prizes, with amounts ranging from ZAR 10,000 for genre categories to ZAR 25,000 for Album of the Year.  
Sponsorship and Support
The Motsepe Foundation continues its sponsorship of the SAMAs, now in the final year of a three-year agreement. RiSA is actively seeking additional sponsors to support the event.  
Broadcast and Viewing
SAMA31 will be broadcast live on SABC1 and streamed on YouTube, ensuring accessibility for audiences both locally and internationally.  
For more information and updates, visit the official SAMA website at www.samusicawards.co.za.