The 31st Annual South African Music Awards (SAMA31) is scheduled for the first half of 2025, marking a return to the pre-pandemic scheduling of late-April–May broadcasts. 
The awards ceremony, presented by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA), will celebrate musical excellence with categories spanning albums, songs, music videos and genre-specific awards. Submissions were accepted for works released between April 16, 2024, and January 31, 2025—with a deadline extension to February 10, 2025. 
Broadcast & Format Details.
The ceremony will be broadcast live on SABC1 and simultaneously streamed on YouTube, offering wide domestic and international access. 
Eligible entries were submitted across 30+ genre categories, including key honors such as Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Music Video of the Year. Public voting categories (Record and Video of the Year) were determined based on airplay and streaming data.
Significance & Sponsorship.
This marks a pivotal return to the SAMA’s traditional calendar, aiming to align the awards closer to music release cycles and to revitalize momentum. The Motsepe Foundation continues to serve as the primary sponsor, while RiSA actively seeks additional partnerships to ensure the event’s growth and sustainability.
Stay tuned! Once presenters, performers, and dates are confirmed, we'll have the full lineup and nomination highlights. Want early insider info or nominees lists as they drop? Just let me know!