The 31st South African Music Awards (SAMA31) delivered a powerful celebration of creativity, culture, and musical excellence, honouring artists who have made outstanding contributions to the South African and African music landscape.
From established icons to exciting new voices, SAMA31 recognised excellence across special categories, genres, and technical achievements, reflecting the diversity and global impact of African music.
Below is the complete breakdown of the winners announced at SAMA31.
🏆 Special Category Winners
The organisers proudly announced the winners in the Special Categories, celebrating exceptional artistic achievement and influence:
Male Artist of the Year
Goldmax — Play At Your Own Risk (Best Gqom Album)
Female Artist of the Year
Thandiswa Mazwai — Sankofa
(Best African Adult Contemporary Album)
Duo or Group of the Year
Black Motion — Takala (Best Collaboration)
Album of the Year
Goldmax — Play At Your Own Risk (BestGqom Album)
Newcomer of the Year
Nontokozo Mkhize — Lindiwe
(Best Contemporary Faith Music Album)
🎶 Genre & Technical Category Winners
SAMA31 also honoured excellence across a wide range of musical genres and behind-the-scenes technical categories:
Best Adult Contemporary Album:
Melanie Scholtz — Seven
Best African Adult
Contemporary Album:
Thandiswa Mazwai — Sankofa
Best Afro Pop Album: Sjava — Isibuko (Deluxe)
Best Alternative Album: Francis
Soul —Hindsight 2020
Best Amapiano Album:
Kelvin Momo — Ntsako
Best Classical / Instrumental Album:
Derek Gripper — Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper
Best Collaboration: Black Motion — Takala
Best Dance Album:
Dlala Thukzin — Finally Famous Too
Best Engineered Album: Thandiswa Mazwai — Sankofa
Best Gqom Album:
Goldmax — Play At Your Own Risk
Best Hip Hop Album:
25K — Loyal To The Plug: The Life & Times of Don Kilograms
Best Jazz Album:
Peter Auret — Hope Dies Last
Best Maskandi Album:
Khuzani — Angidlali Nezngane
Best Produced Album:
Thandiswa Mazwai — Sankofa
Best Produced Music Video: Shekhinah — Risk
Best R&B / Soul Album:
Elaine — Stone Cold Heart
Best Reggae Album:
Luwe Da Lion — After All
Best Rock Album:
MaxX & Love — These Blues Might Get You Too
Best Traditional Faith Music Album:
Ayanda Ntanzi — According to Grace, A One Man Show
Best Traditional Music Album:
Makhadzi Entertainment —Miracle Child (Deluxe)
Best Contemporary Music Album:
Spoegwolf — Eindbestemming
Remix of the Year:
Mpho.Wav — Hlala
Rest of Africa Award (South Africans Excluded):
Ayra Starr — The Year I Turned 21
Best African Indigenous Faith Album:
JTG Gospel Choir — Morena Re Ya Leboga
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album:
Takie Ndou — The Glory
🌍 A Night That Celebrated African Music
SAMA31 once again reaffirmed its role as one of Africa’s most prestigious music award platforms, spotlighting artistic excellence, cultural authenticity, and innovation. The awards showcased the richness of South African music while also recognising talent from across the continent.
As African music continues to dominate global stages, SAMA31 stands as a powerful reminder of the creativity, resilience, and excellence shaping the sound of the continent.
📌 Stay tuned to EIIAFRICA for more music news, award highlights, and exclusive African entertainment stories.