South African entertainer and content creator Thulasizwe ‘Lasizwe’ Dambuza has called on Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie to take a closer look at the state of the country’s award shows.
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Lasizwe shared his open letter shortly after the South African Music Awards (SAMAs), reigniting conversations about the state of local award ceremonies and whether they are still giving South African creatives the recognition they deserve.
Lasizwe wants change
In his open letter to Gayton, Lasizwe expressed concerns about the current state of South African award shows and called for renewed attention to platforms that celebrate local talent.
The entertainer believes award shows should play an important role in recognising the people who contribute to the country’s entertainment industry.
His comments come at a time when questions around the relevance, credibility and sustainability of local award ceremonies continue to spark conversations among creatives and audiences.
The timing of his letter, coming soon after the SAMAs, has also placed renewed focus on the way South Africa celebrates its musicians and other creatives.
Minister @GaytonMcK, we need to have a serious conversation about the state of South Africa’s arts and entertainment industry.
What is happening?
Our award shows are declining. The entertainment value is declining. Corporate investment seems to be disappearing. And yet South…
— Lasizwe (@lasizwe) August 15, 2026
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The SAMAs reignite the conversation
The SAMAs remain one of the country’s biggest platforms for recognising musical talent. However, like many award ceremonies, the SAMAs have faced questions about their relevance, voting processes, nominations, and the overall experience for artists and audiences.
Lasizwe’s intervention adds to the wider debate about whether South Africa’s award shows need to evolve with the changing entertainment landscape.
For a younger generation of entertainers and digital creators, recognition is no longer limited to traditional television, radio and music platforms. Social media, streaming platforms and digital content have created new pathways for artists and personalities to build audiences.
A bigger conversation about the creative industry
Lasizwe’s concerns also come against the backdrop of wider challenges facing South Africa’s creative sector.
Gayton has previously spoken about addressing poverty among South African artists, following protests and calls from creatives for greater support from the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.
The minister has also spoken about initiatives aimed at strengthening South Africa’s cultural and entertainment industries.
Against this backdrop, Lasizwe’s call for stronger award shows forms part of a much bigger discussion about how the country can support and celebrate its creative community.
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