How do you know you’ve made it in the music game? Is it the streams? The shoutouts? Or is it that golden moment when someone hands you a mic, a trophy, and a stage?
South Africa’s music scene is booming, genre by genre, province by province. From amapiano to maskandi and hip-hop to house, artists are dropping fire every week. In 2024, names like Tyla, Kabza De Small, Maglera Doe Boy, and Lwah Ndlunkulu dominated charts and clubs alike. But here’s the problem: the country has more talent than trophies. The South African Music Awards (SAMAs), Metro FM Awards, and a handful of niche ceremonies can’t carry the full weight of the industry anymore.
It’s 2025. And if we want to take our music culture seriously, globally and locally, Mzansi needs more music awards.
Recognition Builds Industry, Not Just Egos
When an artist wins an award, it’s not just about clout; it’s proof of impact. Awards validate years of hard work, long studio nights, and the risk of choosing art over comfort. Whether they’re fresh voices or seasoned legends, musicians need public moments of recognition. It keeps the industry alive.
When she receives an award, a vocalist gains negotiating power. He books bigger shows. They get brand deals. You create a pipeline where talent feeds into business, and business feeds back into growth. It’s the ecosystem awards help unlock. But when you’ve only got one or two big platforms doing the recognizing, a lot of brilliant work falls through the cracks.
The Current System Leaves Too Many Out
Look closely at the SAMAs. They’re iconic — no doubt. But they’re overloaded. Each year, hundreds of artists fight for a spot. Genres like Gqom, Afro-tech, Alternative, TrapSoul, and Traditional Gospel often go unnoticed or squeezed into vague “Best Collaboration” or “Best Newcomer” categories. The rest? Ignored.
And what about provinces? KwaZulu-Natal has its talent. So do Limpopo, Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape, and the Free State. But very few regional awards exist to spotlight artists before they get national buzz. So what happens? She keeps gigging locally with no national platform. He builds a cult following but still can’t get playlisted.
By not recognizing them early, the country loses momentum. Artists burn out. Scenes die out. Potential fades out.
Genre-Specific Awards Could Change the Game
Mzansi’s sound isn’t one thing; it’s everything. There’s no reason why Amapiano shouldn’t have its own annual awards. Or hip-hop. Or Gospel. Each has its own fanbase, stars, producers, and legacy. Creating dedicated awards gives those communities space to shine without being compared to unrelated genres.
Some of the winners at the 2015 South African Music Awards (SAMAs) celebrate their victory on stage (file photo).
In Nigeria, the Headies give Afrobeat stars their flowers. In the U.S., BET Hip Hop Awards uplift rap culture specifically. South Africa has the talent and fan support to do the same. He doesn’t need to compete with a choir. She shouldn’t have to share a nomination with a DJ from a completely different scene.
Tailored awards create tailored growth.
Awards Inspire the Next Generation
When a 14-year-old sees someone from their neighborhood holding a trophy on TV, it does something. It plants a seed. It says, “If she did it, I can too.” Awards aren’t just the end goal — they’re also the beginning of dreams.
They motivate producers to sharpen their sound. DJs to improve their sets. Songwriters to get bolder. Awards turn music into something bigger than just Friday drops and weekend sets. They create purpose, momentum, and legacy.
Local Recognition Builds Global Power
If we want South African music to stand tall globally, it has to stand united locally. Right now, Tyla’s winning Grammys. Musa Keys is touring the world. Uncle Waffles is setting dance floors on fire in Ibiza. But back home, many don’t even know when our next local awards are airing or who’s running them.
By building a stronger awards culture, the country creates confidence. It shapes stories. It helps an international audience understand who we are musically. When she lands in London or Lagos, she carries those local wins with pride.
More awards? That’s how Mzansi becomes a music capital, not just a hit factory.
So, What Needs to Happen?
It starts with support. Brands, broadcasters, and local government, they all need to back new award platforms. These don’t have to be huge productions. Start small. Make it consistent. Let the community own it.
They can be province-based. They can be genre-specific. They can even be digital-first. As long as they shine a light on local excellence, they matter.
Because at the end of the day, awards don’t just celebrate stars. They create them.
Final Note from SFI.COZA:
Mzansi music doesn’t lack talent. It lacks stages, recognition, and the structures to reward greatness. It’s time to build more platforms that say: We see you. We hear you. You matter.
As DJ Maphorisa once said, “You can’t skip the country when you’re making hits here.” Let’s not skip our own artists either.
Let the awards begin.
We at SFI.COZA think that stories have the ability to educate, uplift, and unite people. As a sociable and committed editor, we work hard to provide rich media coverage that connects with our audience. Our ambition to positively touch our audience's lives, one article at a time, is equal to our enthusiasm for storytelling. Come along on this adventure with us as we explore the planet.
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