After news that this year’s South African Music Awards (SAMAs) was cancelled by KwaZulu-Natal’s Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) broke, many local celebrities have taken to social media to give their opinion on the matter.
The Recording Industry of South Africa’s (RiSA) CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi said in a statement that they learned about the department’s decision at “the eleventh hour” yesterday morning.
“We have a three-year contract with EDTEA and will be consulting with our contractual partners to find out what led to this decision and carve a way forward. As such, we will advise in due course what the next steps for SAMA29 will be.”
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Many celebs took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their thoughts.
Responding to an X user who said the awards show should “just call it a day,” radio personality Sizwe Dhlomo noted that the cancellation was “a very tough call.”
He added, “SAMAs cost a lot of money, yes, but I would argue that they are very necessary. The whole thing went south once MTN pulled away.”
That’s a very tough call. SAMAs cost a lot of money yes but I would argue that they are very necessary. The whole thing went south once MTN pulled away. https://t.co/uyR3XC7KIE
— Sizwe Dhlomo (@SizweDhlomo) October 25, 2023
Replying to Sizwe’s comment, music producer DJ Tira said he felt bad for this year’s artist’s who received their first nominations, adding that the SAMAs encourage artists to work even harder.
“I remember Big Nuz losing to Bricks with Ubala and came back the following year with Umlilo and cleaned at the SAMAs. This is a big loss for KZN.”
I feel really bad for artists that got their first nominations this year. Samas encourage us to work even harder. I remember Big Nuz losing to Bricks with Ubala and came back the following year with Umlilo and cleaned at the Samas. This is a big loss for KZN.
— Makoya Bearings (@DJTira) October 25, 2023
Grammy award-winning artist Zakes Bantwini, who is getting ready to perform in Cape Town on Saturday for his Abantu concert, simply stated, “Cancelling the SAMAs is a BIG mistake and a sad day for the art.”
Cancelling the SAMAs is a BIG mistake and a saddest day for the art ?? #SAMA29
— Zakes Bantwini (@ZakesBantwiniSA) October 25, 2023
Controversial music executive Nota Baloyi also took to X.
He commented, “Imagine hosting the SAMAs in the city where AKA & Tibz were killed… Keep imagining it because it’s not happening, their spirits won’t allow it & it’s a shame that artists didn’t boycott the entire sham in the first place. It just goes to show the sellouts we have as celebrities!”
Imagine hosting the SAMAs in the city where AKA & Tibz were killed… Keep imagining it because it’s not happening, their spirits won’t allow it & it’s a shame that artists didn’t boycott the entire sham in the first place. It just goes to show the sellouts we have as celebrities!
— MORAL Authority (@lavidaNOTA) October 25, 2023
Also see: KZN cancels the SAMAs
