Online Reporter
Amapiano star Kelvin Momo and jazz artiste Thandiswa Mazwai, have each scored three nominations for the 2025 South African Music Awards.
This news comes as the Recording Industry of South Africa has officially unveiled the nominees for the 2025 South African Music Awards (Sama31).
The nominees’ announcement was hosted at a modest gathering at Rockets restaurant in the north of Johannesburg with an audience of industry stakeholders and a handful of artistes.
The event was also streamed live on social media.
The top five categories remain under wraps and will be revealed in September, ensuring the build-up to the big night stays electric.
The Samas’ main event will return in an evolved hybrid format in November under the theme “Less Noise. More Music”.
They will blend the magic of a live, in-person ceremony with the reach and dynamism of a virtual broadcast.
Producer Thabo Kelvin Ledwaba, fondly known as Kelvin Momo, bagged the nominations for Best Amapiano Album for Sewe and Ntsako. He was nominated for Best Collaboration (Ntsako).
“I appreciate the recognition. It means we are doing something right,” he said.
Momo’s project, Ntsako, is a 24-track body of work that is emotionally charged with A-list features.
Private School Piano
Although he has earned himself a reputation as a “no-show” for some events and bookings, his fans have remained loyal to his sound dubbed “Private School Piano”.
Thandiswa Mazwai has been nominated for Best Produced Album, Best Engineered Album and Best Adult Contemporary Album for Sankofa.
“I am honoured,” said Mazwai.
In June, Mazwai celebrated a year since the release of Sankofa.
“Sankofa, in the Ghanaian language Twi, means to go back and fetch what’s been left behind for healing,” she explained.
The project was recorded in South Africa, Dakar and New York.
Her album combines archival traditional isiXhosa sounds, jazz and West African rhythms.
Limpopo singer Makhadzi bagged one nomination for Best Traditional Album (Miracle Child).
Zama Jobe made it to the list for her comeback project, Umi, after almost 12 years of being away from the limelight. — Sundayworld.
Bongani Ndlovu