The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) has released the line-up of judges ahead of this year's South African Music Awards (SAMAs) at the Sun City Superbowl in Rustenburg on 28 August.
The 120 judges were responsible for selecting the nominees and winners of this year's awards. They were drawn from across the country, and include music critics, music compilers, music promoters, broadcasters, media experts, journalists and academics. They were selected by the RiSA Steering Committee comprising representatives from record labels, and were assigned to preside over various award categories based on their expertise.
According to RiSA, the judges independently input their scores and justifications using an online system without communicating with one another. The information is then given to auditors for collation and verification before the top five in each category are announced.
“The calibre of judges that we have secured for this year’s awards spans across the media landscape,” RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi. “They have all been selected based on their industry knowledge and are the cornerstone for a credible adjudication process. We owe them a debt of gratitude for this important and selfless exercise that takes up their time and energy. All roads lead to Sun City and we are confident that their invaluable expertise will result in the acknowledgement of the best of the best.”
Below is the full list of judges:
- Ayanda ‘MVP’ Mduli
- Aymeric Peguillan
- Beverly Moubane
- Bongani Nqiqi
- Bonolo Molosiwa
- Busisiwe Zondi
- Caron Williams Williams
- Catherine Grenfel
- CJ De Swart
- Craig Bright
- Chriselda Kananda
- David Lephoto
- David (Deza)Molotlhanyi
- Derrich Gardner
- Dudu Khoza
- Duncan G Gibbon
- El Broide
- Emmanuel Tyija
- Everson Luhanga
- Fanele Bhengu
- Felicity Mdluli
- Fikile Magalemele
- Fred Kayembe
- Gabi Mbele
- Gabi Abrahamse
- Glen Netshipise
- Gold Ntlokwana
- Gudla (Abashakaze) Bangi
- Hannelore Olivier
- Heidi Edeling
- Helen Herimbi
- Hennie Myburgh
- Isaac Mashilo
- Ivan ‘Chilly’ Lesetedi
- Jacques Arendt
- Jade Leaf
- James Shikwambane
- Jan van Zyl
- Janina Van Niekerk
- Jannine Purkiss
- Jay Matli
- Jennifer Senasie
- Kabelo Mekoa
- Kagiso Sebudi
- Keamogetswe Moumakwe
- Khanyi Magubane
- Khaya Ntonjeni
- Kurt Meyer
- Lebang Kgosana
- Lebogang Kgomongwe
- Lebohang Mphotha
- Lehlohonolo Peega
- Lerato Matsoso
- Lesiba Morakana
- Liebie Opperman
- Linda Zulu
- Lorenz Penkler
- Mabhande Mthombeni
- Malie Kelly
- Mandla Mdletshe
- Mandla Buthelezi
- Mandla Ncinitwa
- Manqoba -King Winner Shabangu
- Martin Maphosa
- Martin Oberholzer
- Maxwell Baloi
- Mbali Nkosi
- Michael Bower
- Mihlale Ngele
- Misha Loots
- Mohlou Mile
- Mpho Maumela
- Mpho Mokou
- Nelson Segodi
- Nikita Tsotetsi
- Nomthandazo Solomon Mkize
- Nomvula Mehlomakhulu
- Nothemba Madumo
- Ntokozo Botjie
- Ntombifuthi Dlamini
- Omolemo Maja
- Oupa Molane
- Paul Tisley
- Phumzile Mlangeni
- Pieter Cloete
- Rofhiwa Rampfumadzi
- Rofhiwa Nethenge
- Romeo Mabasa
- Sabelo Mkhabela
- Sammy Rankoana
- Sduduzo Myeni
- Sello Richard Mokgobatlou
- Shau Mudekunye
- Sibusiso Kanyi
- Sibusiso Msane
- Siyanda Fikelephi
- Skhumbuzo Nhlapo
- Slindile Dlamini
- Snyman Rankane
- Solly Mputle
- Stephan Potgieter
- Stephanie Barnadt
- Sweet Mike Singwane
- Teboho Letselela
- Tecla Ciolfi
- Thabiso Ramasethla
- Thabo Matshaka
- Thabo Welcome
- Thapelo Makhubo
- Thembi Thobela
- Thomas Manamela
- Thulasizwe Nkabinde
- Tim Zunckel
- Timothy Mogogole Mogogole
- Tshwanelo Maredi
- Vanessa Buthelezi
- Vernon Nel
- Vusi Langa
- Wynand van Heerden
- Xolani Ndlovu
- Zanele Mauka
- Zwelibanzi Mbhele
Proudly South African partnership
Meanwhile, the SAMAs have for the second time partnered with Proudly South African ahead of the awards ceremony at the weekend.
In recognition of the awards ceremony’s contribution over the past 28 years, Proudly SA has endorsed the event as an advocate of locally made products and services.
“The SAMAs are seen to be the most coveted awards in the music industry, recognising the hard work and dedication of South African artists and their teams,” Proudly SA chief executive Eustace Mashimbye said. “The creative arts industry represents a huge source of jobs predominantly for young people; therefore, it gives us great pleasure to endorse these awards and the incredible job creation value chain they contribute to, especially now that the physical event has been reinstated.”
Sibisi said: “The South African Music Awards have been acknowledging musical excellence for 28 years. To partner again with Proudly South African is undoubtedly a moment of pride and we are excited about the possibilities that have arisen and those that are still to arise from this partnership. As an organisation we are honoured to contribute to South Africa’s musical development and to the creation of much needed jobs for this sector.”
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