SAMAs boss says sorry: ‘We didn’t have enough money’
'We are to blame, we are at fault': SAMAs organisers are taking accountability for offending viewers and artists over their show.
Following criticism from multiple stars like Makhadzi, Zakes Bantwini, DJ Maphorisa, and Lady Du, the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) organisers are finally owning up to their oversights.
Last week, the awards show was dragged for its poor quality and choice of winners, particularly the “Artist of The Year” (AOTY)winner – which many believed should have gone to Limpopo-born singer Makhadzi.
Instead, it went to relatively unknown artist Haksul Muziq.
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SAMAS BOSS SAYS SORRY
Speaking to Sunday World, Nhlanhla Sibisi organiser has taken the blame for criticism of the awards.
He said of the AOTY controversy: “We gave total power to the public to nominate the artist of the year. This was the biggest mistake and we regret it.
“We also allowed the public to vote for the artist of the year, this weakened our internal controls because the public vote took over and controlled the voting process. We also failed to engage with the artists, as a result, most of them did not know how the judging process worked.
Sibisi also begged music fans not to vent their frustrations at the winners.
He continued: “We are therefore pleading with the public not to blame the artists because they followed all the terms and conditions and won. We are to blame, we are at fault and we will do better next time.”
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Sibisi also addressed the poor quality of the SAMAs, which was criticised by performer Makhadzi herself.
He continued: “We also struggled to organise this event because we didn’t have enough money. Because of this, we had to change the venue. Initially, we’d chosen Sun Arena but due to financial constraints, we had to move it to Sun City in North West”.
He added: “We have noted all the complaints and we are ticking each and every one of them. We are going back to the drawing board and we shall be reviewing the entire process, then we shall be making a public announcement.”
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AOTY SINGER DEFENDS WIN
Meanwhile, Haksul Muziq has lashed out at “haters” who criticised him for his SAMAs win.
The singer went up against industry greats like Emtee, A-Reece, Makhadzi, and Musa Keys.
He shared on his Instagram page: “I was expecting this whole debate because I’m not popular. They were expecting those well-known artists to win it, while they didn’t even vote for them.
“So my supporters came out in numbers and voted since day one, if you don’t know Haksul Muziq that’s your problem. We showed them real support that’s it. They failed to vote now they’re trying to blame the SAMAs. Shame on you, try again haters”.
