South African Music Awards Set August 15 “Homecoming” Ceremony at Sun City
The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) has confirmed that the 32nd South African Music Awards (SAMA32) will be held on 15 August 2026 at the Sun City Superbowl in North West Province, an edition organizers have branded the “SAMA32 Homecoming Edition,” returning the ceremony to a venue long associated with major moments in the country’s music history. Nominees were unveiled on 25 June 2026 through a hybrid ceremony bringing together industry figures, media and fans, celebrating South African music’s contribution to the nation’s cultural and economic life.
The announcement follows the previous edition, SAMA31, which saw Ayra Starr take home the Rest of Africa Award, Thandiswa Mazwai’s “Sankofa” earn multiple honors, and 25K’s “Loyal To The Plug” win Hip Hop Album of the Year, alongside newcomer recognition for Nontokozo Mkhize. Entries for SAMA32 were open from December 2025 through January 2026 across more than 30 genre categories, covering work released between February 2025 and January 2026.
As South Africa’s most prestigious music honor, the SAMAs act as a bellwether for which artists and genres are shaping the national conversation, and the “Homecoming” framing signals RiSA’s effort to rebuild the ceremony’s scale and prestige after several years of funding challenges.
