The South African Music Awards (SAMAs) will officially return to the North West Province in 2026, marking a significant homecoming for the country’s premier music awards ceremony after four years away.
The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) confirmed that the 32nd edition of the awards will take place on 15 August 2026 in the North West Province. The announcement was made by North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Galerekwe Tsotso Tlhapi, who expressed enthusiasm about hosting the prestigious event once again.
Tlhapi described the return of the SAMAs as a major moment for the province, highlighting its history as a successful host of national entertainment events. She said the province was ready to welcome artists, industry professionals and music fans from across South Africa.
According to Tlhapi, the return of the awards represents more than just another entertainment event. She said it is an opportunity to showcase the province’s cultural richness, hospitality and growing creative industry while celebrating the achievements of South African musicians.
The North West Province previously hosted the 28th edition of the SAMAs in 2022 at Sun City’s SuperBowl venue. However, that edition faced widespread criticism due to organisational challenges, low attendance by artists and disputes surrounding some of the award winners.
The negative publicity surrounding the event resulted in significant changes behind the scenes. The communications and publicity team responsible for that edition was replaced, and organisers sought to rebuild confidence in the awards brand.
The following year, organisers initially planned to move the awards ceremony to Durban. However, those plans fell through after provincial funding was withdrawn. As a result, the 29th edition was eventually held at the SunBet Arena in Menlyn Maine, Pretoria, in November 2023.
Despite the relocation, the event continued to face criticism from sections of the entertainment industry and viewers who felt the ceremony lacked the prestige and excitement traditionally associated with the SAMAs.
In an effort to restore the reputation of the awards, the 30th and 31st editions were hosted at Gallagher Estate in Midrand. While organisers worked to improve the production and overall experience, some industry observers still raised concerns about planning and execution, particularly during the most recent ceremony held in December.
With the announcement of the 2026 venue, organisers are hopeful that returning to the North West Province will help usher in a new chapter for the awards.
SAMA spokesperson Unathi Gwija said preparations are already underway, with organisers engaging key stakeholders to ensure the event is professionally executed and memorable for artists and audiences alike.
Gwija said there is growing excitement surrounding the return to a province that has previously demonstrated its ability to host large-scale national events. Extensive consultations are reportedly taking place to strengthen partnerships and improve the overall quality of the ceremony.
The 32nd edition is being positioned as a special “homecoming edition,” celebrating South Africa’s musical heritage while highlighting the evolution of local music across different genres and generations.
As anticipation builds, the return of the SAMAs to the North West Province is expected to boost tourism, create economic opportunities and provide a major platform for recognising the country’s best musical talent.
After several challenging years, organisers hope SAMA 32 will restore confidence in the awards and reaffirm its position as the most prestigious celebration of South African music.
