South African Music Award for Newcomer of the Year


The South African Music Awards are the Recording Industry of South Africa's music industry awards, established in 1995. The ceremony is held in late-April or May every year, with the judging process starting in November of the previous year. The nominations are typically announced at the end of March. The winners receive a gold-plated statuette called a SAMA.
The show is consistently held at the Super Bowl in Sun City, with exception of two years, and broadcast live on national broadcaster, SABC. The ceremony features live performances by a selection of nominees. The SAMAs are considered the South African equivalent of the American Grammy Awards. MTN has been the title sponsor of the event since 2003.

1990s

2000s


  • Selaelo Selota – "Painted Faces"
  • * Loyisa – "Loyiso"
  • * Tsakani Mhinga – "TKO)"
  • * Bambata – "1906"
  • * Kampi Moto and George Phiri – "Acha Masimango"
  • Ernie Smith – "Child of Light"
  • Moses Khumalo – "Mntungwa"
  • * After Touch – "The African Reaction"
  • * Guy Buttery – "When I Grow Up..."
  • * Jae – "Missing You"
  • * Prince Kupi – "Loxion"
  • Adilah – "Ses'fikile"
  • * Gerard Ogle – "Live Your Dream"
  • * Malebo Mothema – "Growth in Africa"
  • * Sliq Angel – "Sliq Angel"
  • * Thando – "Smile upon my Face"
  • Simphiwe Dana – "Zandisile"
  • * Jamali – "Jamali"
  • * Pitch Black Afro – "Styling Gel"
  • * Seed – "In the Soil"
  • * Zamajobe – "Ndawo Yami"
  • Brickz – "Face-Brick"
  • * Kwani Experience – "Birth of the Mudaland Funk"
  • * Prokid – "Heads And Tales"
  • * Tuks Senganga – "Mafoko A Me"
  • * Wikid – "Anger Management"
  • Siphokazi – "Ubuntu Bam"
  • * Lesego – "MyMusic"
  • * Lucas Senyatso – "All of Me"
  • * Maduvha – "Maduvha"
  • * Rae – "Kwenzekile"
  • Tasha Baxter – "Colour of Me"
  • * Camagwini – "Zivile"
  • * Molemi – "Amantsi"
  • * Mpumi Dhlamini – "Combined Elements"
  • * Tumi Lane – "No Guarantee"
  • Andile Mseleku – "Essence of Joy"
  • * Babu – "Up Roots"
  • * Jody – "Just Gonna Be Me"
  • * The Voice of Angels – "The Voice of Angels Vol. 1"
  • * Zebra & Giraffe – "Collected Memories"

    • 2010s


  • Locnville – "Sun in My Pocket"
  • * Jay – "Solo"
  • * Kwesta – "Special Rekwest"
  • * Liquideep – "Fabrics of the Heart"
  • * Nomsa Mazwai – "Nomisupa"
  • Zahara – "Loliwe"
  • * Lwanda Gogwana Songbook – "Chapter 1"
  • * Mi Casa – "Mi Casa Music"
  • * Shadowclub – "Guns and Money"
  • * Zakwe – "Zakwe"
  • Toya Delazy – "Due Drop Deluxe"
  • * Bongeziwe Mabandla – "Umlilo"
  • * Khaya – "For You"
  • * Tailor – "The Dark Horse"
  • * The Muffinz – "Have You Heard?"
  • Naima Kay – "Umsebenzi"
  • * Gangs of Ballet – "Yes/No/Grey"
  • * iFANi – "I Believes in Me "
  • * MuzArt – "MuzArt"
  • * Nakhane Touré – "Brave Confusion"
  • Cassper Nyovest – "Tsholofelo"
  • * Beatenberg – "The Hanging Gardens of Beatenberg"
  • * Duncan – "Street Government"
  • * Howie Combrink – "Eat It While It's Hot"
  • * Jeremy Loops – "Trading Change"