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Mbulelo Mpofu recently in Midrand, South Africa

IT was a Tyla show at this year’s South African Music Awards (SAMAs) held at Gallagher Convention Centre last Saturday, as the “Water” hit-maker won a staggering four awards.

The Grammy award-winning singer has been collecting trophies and recognition abroad, and it was no surprise that she had the lioness’ share of the spoils. The “Truth or Dare” singer took home the Ukhozi FM Female Artiste of the Year, SANTAM Newcomer of the Year, and Best Pop Album for her self-titled debut album, Tyla. She was also honoured with the International Achievement accolade, taking her tally to four.

Tyla

Hot on her heels were the duo of Amapiano titans Kabza De Small and Mthunzi, whose collaboration on the album “Isimo” earned them the SAMPRA Album of the Year, Radio 2000 Duo/Group of the Year, and Motsweding FM Best Amapiano Album.

The SAMAs, an annual event to celebrate South African music icons, also saw Zimbabweans having a say, with Edgar Muzah’s “Son of a Tribe” piece getting the Rest of Africa accolade.

Amapiano sensation Mthunzi

The SAMAs dazzled attendees with a night of celebration, artistry, and cultural pride, showcasing the vibrant tapestry of South Africa’s music landscape. It was a masterclass in seamless transitions, stunning visual presentations, and impeccable organisation.

Oscar ‘Oskido’ Mdlongwa receiving his Lifetime Achievement Award at the 30th South African Music Awards (SAMAs)

The awarding ceremony presented a chance for Zimbabwean awards organisers to learn a thing or two. The following pointers give a guide to the hits and misses of the SAMAs, where invaluable lessons can be drawn from.

HITS                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Red Carpet Organisation: As guests arrived, the red carpet transformed into a kaleidoscope of colour and creativity. Organised to perfection, the entrance featured a team of journalists, bloggers, and photographers capturing every moment of glamour.

Priddy Ugly and wife Bontle Moloi on the SAMAs red carpet

Stars like Lifetime Achievement recipient Ringo Madlingozi, Skwatta Kamp, Priddy Ugly, Steve Dyer, Nadia Nakai, DJ Buckz, Ihashi elimhlophe, Arthur Mafokate, and Rebecca Malope graced the carpet in striking outfits from local designers, including Imprint, AFI, and Naked Ape. Each ensemble told a story, reflecting South African culture and tradition, something that the Zimbabwean entertainment scene can emulate to ensure pride and confidence in local fashion stables.

Rebecca Malope

Effortless Transitions and Performances: The ceremony flowed effortlessly from one segment to another. Host Minnie Dlamini, clad in a stunning floor-length black gown accented with a vibrant red silk cape, commanded the stage with grace and poise.

The Soil

Her energy set the tone for the evening, and her witty commentary kept the audience engaged. Voice-overs introduced each performance, enhancing the experience with background stories about the artistes and their contributions to the music scene. Performances were meticulously timed, allowing each artiste to shine without overshadowing the next.

Lwah Ndlunkulu

The sets themselves showed that there was adequate preparation for the event. From the singing to the choreography, those involved understood the assignment. The audience was treated to a series of exhilarating acts, punctuated by applause that echoed through Gallagher Convention Centre.

Bucie

Bucie, making her long-awaited return to the SAMAs stage, captivated the crowd with a mesmerising performance, her emerald green gown shimmering under the lights.

Babes Wodumo

All of these presented local awards organisers of the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA), Zimbabwe Music Awards (ZiMA), Bulawayo Arts Awards (BAA), and other award events with a chance to take a leaf and upgrade their standard.

Busiswa

Mesmerising Visual Presentations: Award ceremonies are all about visual presentations, and for the SAMAs, these were nothing short of spectacular. Beaming graphics filled the screens, showcasing the rich history of South African music as well as the nominees’ achievements.

Busiswa on stage

Each award category was introduced with a dynamic visual montage, setting the stage for the winners to take the spotlight. Live streaming the event and its screening on SABC made it even more entertaining.

Thoughtful Seating Arrangements: Seating was perfectly arranged to maximise visibility and connection. Celebrities, industry veterans, and emerging artistes shared the space, fostering an environment of mutual respect and celebration. There was no haphazard seating. The layout encouraged camaraderie, allowing attendees to interact and engage with one another throughout the night.

Arthur Mafokate

The Use of a Teleprompter: The SAMAs organising team made proper use of a teleprompter to manage speeches. This was a plus for them because it is a fantastic tool that helps people deliver speeches or presentations smoothly and confidently.

Teleprompter

Essentially, it’s a display device that shows an electronic visual text of a speech or script, allowing the speaker to read from it while maintaining eye contact with the audience. Incorporating it into the whole programme made presentations easy as no presenter had to struggle with what they would say on stage. Zimbabwe can utilise the tool too to make our events more powerful.

Anele Zondo

Timed Speeches: The timing of speeches was executed flawlessly, allowing award winners to express their gratitude while keeping the evening’s momentum alive. Each winner was given 30 seconds to express their emotions, creating a balance between emotional depth and the need to keep the programme flowing.

Failure to keep within the 30-second timeline meant the stage manager would cut the speech short. Time was of the essence as the red carpet was wrapped up timely, irrespective of who was still yet to be interviewed, a sign of respect to everyone.

MISS(ES)

Inaudible Microphones: Performances at the SAMAs were a special feature, and to honour industry legends, two of the Lifetime Achievement recipients performed. Gospel sensation Sipho Makhabane and popular balladeer and Afro-soul icon, Ringo Madlingozi, took to the stage, but when the latter was performing, the microphone volume wasn’t audible enough, something that the SAMAs can work on. Legendary producer Oskido was the third recipient of the Lifetime Achievement gong.

Ringo Madlingozi

Even when Nadia Nakai performed, there was no sync nor cohesion between her vocals and the backtrack, a feature that needs working on.

Nadia Nakai 

Host Minnie Dlamini, reflecting on her role as host, shared, “I wanted to bring a different side of myself tonight. The energy of the SAMAs is infectious!”

Minnie Dlamini (left)

Meanwhile, artistes like Anele Zondo and Wouter Kellerman expressed their pride in donning local fashion. Zondo, radiant in a pink gown, remarked, “It’s all about interpreting South African chic in my way.”

Arthur Mafokate (left)

As the night unfolded, the SAMAs paid homage not only to musical accomplishments but also to the rich tapestry of South African identity. The theme “Proudly South African” resonated throughout the evening, with each detail meticulously curated to reflect the nation’s artistic spirit.

Minnie Dlamini

From the breath-taking red carpet to the stunning performances and heartfelt speeches, the 30th SAMAs was a memorable celebration of South African music, culture, and heritage. It was a night that left attendees beaming with pride and hope for the future of the industry. — Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu