Celebrities
Scoop Makhathini and Pamela Mtanga to host SAMA31 awards show
The 31st South African Music Awards (Sama31) is gearing up to honour the country’s musical heartbeat, anchored by the striking theme, “Flowers For Those Who Keep Our Nation Singing.”
The concept centres on showing appreciation to artists while they are still here to receive it, a sentiment Sama spokesperson Unati Gwija emphasised as the driving force behind this year’s celebration.
“‘Flowers For Those Who Keep Our Nation Singing’ is a call to appreciation. It’s about recognising the musicians, producers, composers, and collaborators who turn struggle into sound and rhythm into resilience,” Gwija explained.
Set for December 14, the ceremony will merge a live production with digital access, allowing fans across the country to tune in through online streaming and interactive platforms even though the event itself will not be open to the public.
The stage design is expected to be a visual celebration of artistry, featuring intricate floral installations created by local creatives.
Each award will symbolically represent a bloom, reinforcing the idea that every artist brings something unique and beautiful to South Africa’s cultural garden.
This year’s hosts, Scoop Makhathini—born Siyabonga Ngwekazi, and Pamela Mtanga, bring together two generations of storytelling excellence.
Makhathini, known for his long-standing influence on South African entertainment as a writer, TV presenter, producer and the co-founder of Parental Advisory Productions, has spent his career amplifying the philosophies, struggles, and triumphs that shape the nation’s sound.
As a broadcaster, digital storyteller, and media entrepreneur with a communications degree from Nelson Mandela University, she rose to prominence on Channel O’s Massive Music, where her instinctive grasp of youth culture and style positioned her as one of the industry’s brightest new voices.
Together, the pair’s energy is expected to elevate the show; their chemistry, described as a blend of wisdom and vibrancy, captures the spirit this year’s ceremony hopes to reflect.
Gwija praised the choice of presenters, saying: “The Sama has always been a platform that honours excellence, and our presenters must embody that spirit. Makhathini and Mtanga bring a rare combination of experience, authenticity, and cultural resonance. Together, they will deliver a hybrid show that is fresh, compelling, and worthy of the legacy of South African music.”
