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Thandiswa Mazwai Wins Four SAMA Awards for Sankofa

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The 31st annual South African Music Awards (SAMAs) ceremony on Sunday, December 14, 2025, was a night to celebrate Thandiswa Mazwai, whose  acclaimed 2024 album, Sankofa, won four major awards. The achievement cemented her status as an influential voice in African music.

Mazwai’s fourth studio album, Sankofa, was among the most-nominated projects, sharing the top spot with  artists like Black Motion and Kelvin Momo. The quality and meticulous creation behind the work were recognized with wins in technical categories, showcasing the album’s quality. Her awards include Best Engineered Album and Best Produced Album.

Beyond the technical triumphs, Sankofa was honored in two major categories. Mazwai was named Female Artist of the Year, and she also secured the award for Best African Adult Contemporary Album, acknowledging the album’s success within this genre.

Thandiswa Mazwai : Instagram

She was a top contender with Black Motion and Kelvin Momo, for the total number of nominations, the full list of competitors in the categories she won gives true context. For the Female Artist of the Year category, the results do not specify the other artists she was directly contested with. Similarly, the exact list of albums she competed against for Best African Adult Contemporary Album is not specified, though the list of winners confirms she won.

Thandiswa Mazwai : Instagram

For the technical awards, Best Engineered Album and Best Produced Album, only Sankofa is listed as the winner; the competing engineers and producers are not specified.

Read Also : Thuli Phongolo Announces New Song ‘HAI SUKA’, Opens Up about Life in Entertainment

Mazwai’s dominance at the SAMAs  highlights a perfect evening for a musician who has paid her dues. The celebration was captured in her social media post following the wins. Her success, alongside other major winners of the night like Goldmax, took home Album of the Year.

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DJ Warras Murder Case: Second Suspect Now in Custody

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Photo: Getty Images

South African police have confirmed the arrest of a second suspect in the murder case of Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock, marking another key development in an investigation that has drawn national attention. Authorities made the arrest in late January 2026 following a coordinated intelligence led operation in Gauteng.

DJ Warras was shot on 16 December 2025 in Johannesburg’s central business district. The shooting occurred Carlton Centre in Johannesburg. Law enforcement officers launched a murder investigation and secured the area.

DJ Warras : Instagram

Police confirmed that the second suspect, a 25 year-old Mozambican national, was arrested in the Marathon informal settlement in Primrose, within the Ekurhuleni metropolitan area. Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed the suspect remains in custody and is expected to appear in court on 2 February 2026.

Read also: DJ Warras Questions Brown Mogotsi’s Alleged Assassination Attempt

The second arrest comes after the detention of Victor Mthethwa Majola, a 44-year-old taxi owner from Soweto. Majola was charged with murder, premeditated murder, and conspiracy to commit murder.

First Suspect: Getty images

The specific roles played by either suspect about the killing have not been publicly mentioned yet. Investigators have not confirmed whether additional suspects remain at large. Authorities continue to examine forensic evidence and analyze surveillance material.

Law enforcement officials confirm the case remains active. They also hinted that further arrests are possible. The National Prosecuting Authority said evidence against the accused will be presented in court.

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How Bravo Le Roux’s Death Leaves a Mark on South Africa’s Music Industry

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Photo:Instagram

Bravo Le Roux, born Sinesipho Peter, passed away on January 22, 2026. He was 30 years old. His family confirmed his passing, describing it as a massive loss. His death came as a shock to many people in South Africa’s music industry.

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture said his passing was a huge blow to the industry. Officials said that Bravo Le Roux represented a generation of artists who knew their craft.

Bravo Le Roux: Instagram

The Southern African Music Rights Organisation describes him as an inspiration to young musicians. They highlighted how his career encouraged upcoming artists to believe in their voices. Many rappers believe his journey gave them the confidence to tell their own stories.

Artists across South Africa felt it as this came weeks after the loss of DJ Warras. Fellow musicians shared tributes describing him as supportive and humble. Some spoke about how he helped others in the studio and offered advice without ego. His absence leaves a gap in both sound and community.

Bravo Le Roux: Instagram

Read also: Bruno Mars Set to Release First Solo Album in 10 Years

Bravo Le Roux combined Xhosa lyrics with modern hip hop. He often mixed street language with personal storytelling, making his songs relatable to many South Africans. His songs show everyday struggles, ambition, and pride.

His catalogue includes projects such as NdinguTa Bravo Kuwe, The Rise of Istrato, International Gubevu, and Igazi, Iinyembezi, and Nombilo. Some of his songs received huge radio play and industry recognition, including award nominations. No official reason has been given for his death.

Bravo Le Roux: Instagram

Bravo Le Roux helped shape the direction of contemporary South African hip hop. While his career  ended early, his influence remains visible in the artists he inspired.

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Trevor Noah Returns as GRAMMY Host as Fela Kuti Makes History with Lifetime Achievement Award

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Photo: Getty Images

Trevor Noah will return as host of the 2026 GRAMMY Awards. This is his sixth time anchoring the event. The event will take place on February 1 and the venue is Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Noah first hosted the GRAMMY Awards in 2021 and has since made five straight appearances. In addition to its performances hosting, Noah serves as an executive producer for the event. He has made his mark in the entertainment industry and remains one of the influential figures around.

Trevor Noah: New York Times

The GRAMMY Awards celebrate achievements of musicians across all genres. There will be live performances from top artists and award presentations. This is an excellent award that will definitely live up to expectations.

Alongside Trevor Noah’s return, the 2026 GRAMMYs will also recognise African music. Nigerian music icon Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the first African artist to get it. The award recognizes artists whose contributions have had a significant influence on music and culture.

Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti: Punch

Read also: Tyla’s Single “Push 2 Start” earns her a 2026 Grammy Nomination

Fela Kuti was an Afrobeat legend, who used his voice to pass messages about social justice, political freedom, and African identity. Kuti’s work challenges authority and encourages awareness. His influence continues to be felt long after his passing.

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