Tyla wins her second SAMA32 International Achievement Award and calls for a united Africa during her first SAMAs appearance.
Tyla Finally Takes the SAMAs Stage
The Water crooner finally had her SAMA32 moment in person, and she made it count. The Grammy-winning South African star attended the awards for the first time on Saturday, 15 August. She took home the AfriPure International Achievement Award at the Sun City Superbowl.
The win makes it Tyla’s second time receiving the honour. She first won it in 2024. Only Black Coffee has also won the award twice in SAMAs history.
Tyla Gets Emotional About Her Journey
Tyla accepted the award from Bonang Matheba and AfriPure co-founder Grant Hughes. She spoke openly about building her career without a blueprint to follow.
“There’s never been a ‘Tyla’ before me, and I don’t have a roadmap,” she said.
“I don’t have someone to call and ask how they did things and which steps to take.”
Tyla thanked South Africans for supporting her as she grew into a global star.
“South Africa runs through my veins,” Tyla added.
She also credited Pretoria’s Bacardi scene for changing her career.
“The moment I did Bacardi on that stage to Water, it changed my whole life,” she said.
Tyla then declared her love for her country and the culture that shaped her.
Tyla Turns Her Win Into an African Celebration
Instead of celebrating alone, Tyla called fellow African artists onto the stage. Makhadzi, Cassper Nyovest, Zee Nxumalo and Maglera Doe Boy joined her. Langa Mavuso, Babalwa M, Lordkez and Xduppy also came forward.
The moment carried a bigger message than an award. Tyla said,
“I wanna take this moment to celebrate all the artists from here.”
She then shared her biggest hope for the continent.
“I pray one day to see a unified Africa; it’s so important,” she said.
Here Are the SAMA32 Winners
HLE won Album of the Year and Female Artist of the Year for The Ground We’re On. Mzukulu won Male Artist and Best Maskandi Album for Ng’funa Intozami. Amadodana Ase Wesile won Duo/Group of the Year for Monghali Mesia.
Paras “Sibalukhulu” Dlamini won Newcomer of the Year for Ingoma Busuku. Uyoncengwa Unyoko won Record of the Year, while Bengicela won Music Video of the Year.
Abantwana Bakho won Best Collaboration. DJ Maphorisa and Xduppy took Most Streamed Song for Ngomoya. Nontokozo Mkhize won the SAMRO Highest Airplay Composer Award for Esandleni.
Kabza De Small won Best Amapiano Album for Bab’Motha. Jazzwrld and Thukuthela won Best Dance Album for The Most Wanted. Blacks Jnr, Dankie Boi and Goldmax won Best GQOM Album for New Wave.
Makhadzi Entertainment won Best Traditional Music Album for Sesi Ka Rose. Bucy Radebe won Best Traditional Faith Music Album. Will Linley won Best Pop Album for Don’t Cry Because It’s Over. Brendan Peyper won Afrikaans Pop Album for Troumateriaal. Oskido also received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Tyla’s SAMA32 moment was bigger than another trophy. It showed how far her music has travelled while keeping her firmly connected to South Africa. As she continues to take African sounds to the world, her call for a unified Africa adds an even bigger meaning to her success.
For Tyla, the journey may not have a roadmap, but she is clearly helping to create one for the artists coming after her.
