Zakes Bantwini Speaks Out On Disappointing Award Ceremony

And also, he lowkey shaded DJ Hlo

By  | Aug 31, 2022, 09:26 AM  | Zakes Bantwini  | Drama

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Zakes Bantwini has joined the handful of artists expressing their disappointment in the South African Music Awards, (SAMAs). The musician and award-winning artist lead the pack when it came to nominations and he also won an award, but that did not stop him from calling a spade a spade.

Read more: Makhadzi Dumps The SAMAs After Messy Performance

This past weekend, the SAMAs took place at Sun City in North West but much to everyone's disappointment, the award ceremony was a flop.

From Makhadzi, to Lady Du, DJ Maphorisa and now Zakes Bantwini, these artists did not hold back when criticising the SAMAs.

Taking to Facebook, Zakes penned a lengthy message, acknowledging his accolades where he won the Samro Highest Radio Airplay Composers Award and the Best Collaboration for Osama featuring Kasango, Zakes Bantwini also took the opportunity to call out the SAMAs. 

He thanked the people who was involved in making Osama and noted how the song means a lot to people around the world. He then pointed out how the SAMAs used to be the highest honour in an artist's career but now the trust has apparently been broken.

"For over two decades The SAMAS have been the highest accolade that could be bestowed on South African artists, and have represented a standard of creative excellence, that marked the height of success to those in the creative sector.

"Regrettably the SAMAS have broken our trust, they have devalued the honour and prestige, which the awards once stood for, there is no integrity in the way at which the show is being produced, the planning, the awarding of artists & in extending the basic courtesy of RESPECT TO THE ARTIST!!!" he exclaimed.

Read more: The Hottest #SAMA28 Red Carpet Looks

Zakes points out how he has been in the industry for 15 years but last weekend collected his very first two awards, 28 nominations later.

"After 15 years of a career I have given my life to, I earn my first two awards, after over 28 nominations and years of being overlooked I finally checked a major milestone in my career," he wrote.

He then said this year had to be the lowest point in the SAMAs and also noted how the lack of attendance from the nominated artists puts a bad name on the SAMAs. He puts the blame on the unfair judges and calls out the nepotism.

"Regrettably this year happens to be the lowest point of these awards and I receive these awards with a heavy heart, the lack of attendance by artists nominated is just one signs of what THE ARTISTS THINK OF SAMAS organisers and stakeholders! This is a result of years of the judging processes being unjust, corruption and myopic thinking and a lack of vision. Our coveted award show depicts a looted SOE and reeks of nepotism and traces of bureaucracy. "

Basically, Zakes says these awards have become "a slap in the face to so many, I am unable to find the words to describe my shock and disappointment."

Zakes added that the SAMAs have become a money-making scheme and put a message to people saying "if we celebrate mediocrity we will only have ourselves to blame. "

He then calls on all artists and music lovers to unite and rebuild the industry. We can't help but notice his last message directed at Ukhozi FM, telling them to do better this year when choosing a crossover song. If you may recall, last year Ukhozi FM chose DJ Hlo's song as the Song Of The Year. But many people were puxxled as to who the DJ is and what is her claim to fame.

"NB: Khozi FM please do better this year on the crossover song," added Zakes.

Image credit: ZAlebs 
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