
Aka The One Where Zahara Scoops All the Statues.
Even though I wasn’t able to be in South Africa to see this year’s SA Music Awards (SAMAs) take place under the new hand of Randall Abrahams, I was still keeping an eye on this year’s winners. Being a fan, first and foremost of local music, and a former judge of the awards, I am always keen to see who has made a mark in the public’s eye, and this year, it was undoubtedly Zahara’s year to shine. In South Africa’s version of the Grammys, she is Adele. Only she’s done even better than Adele. The 24-year-old Xhosa singer from East London garnered a record-breaking 8 SAMAs.
Here’s the title track from her award-winning album, Loliwe, which went double platinum in SA, less than 20 days after its release last year:
And here are the rest of the big winners:
Best Alternative Album – The Dirty Skirts for Lost In The Fall
Best Kiddies Album – Wendy Oldfield for Singalong Kidz Volume 2
Best Smooth Urban Music Album – Zahara, Loliwe
Best Contemporary Faith Music Album – The Plain Truth, We Are The Shining Ones
Best Classical and Instrumental Album – CH2, Ping
Best Collaboration – Zahara featuring Georgy, Incwad’Encane
Best Jazz Album – Jimmy Dludlu, Tonota
Best Pop Album – Lloyd Cele, One
Best African Adult Album – Zonke, Ina Ethe
Best Rock Album – Shadowclub, Guns and Money
Best Traditional Music Album – Soul Brothers, Amaphutha
Best Traditional Faith Music Album – Solly Mahlangu, Mwamba Mwamba

- Vusi Mahlasela (pictured) and Ray Phiri were honoured with Lifetime Achievement nods
Best Street Urban Music Album – AKA, Altar Ego
Best Sokkie Dans Album – Snotkop, Ek Laaik Van Jol
Best Adult Contemporary Album – Elvis Blue, Elvis Blue (2CD Special Edition)
Best Maskandi Album – Thokozani Langa, I-Protection Order
Best Kwaito Album – Big Nuz, Pound for Pound
Best Dance Album – Mi Casa, Mi Casa Music
Special Award: Best Selling Album – Loliwe by Zahara

Special Award: MTN Best Selling Mobile Music Download – Facebook by DJ Cleo
Newcomer of the Year – Zahara for Loliwe
Duo/Group of the Year – Mi Casa, Mi Casa Music
Male Artist of the Year – AKA, Altar Ego
Female Artist of the Year – Zahara, Loliwe
MTN Record of the Year – Mi Casa, These Streets
Album of the Year – Loliwe, Loliwe
For more on the SAMAs, go here.