[GALLERY] – Inside night 2 of #SAMA24

Despite the complaints about the dip in prestige surrounding the 24th annual South African Music Awards, Saturday night saw millions tune in to SABC 1 to witness the live broadcast of this year’s ceremony. 

The evening was hosted by the trio of Somizi Mhlongo, Dineo Ranaka and Mpho Popps who kept the audience entertained and in stitches with their over the top humor, wacky dance moves and regular references to some of pop cultures hottest moments over the past month or so. 

The night featured performances from two-time SAMA winners, Sun-El musician and Samthing Soweto as well as Shekhinah (who took home three SAMAs), Distruction Boyz, Busiswah, Heavy K, DJ Tira and The Soweto Gospel Choir to name a few.

One of the biggest surprises of the night was the presence of President Cyril Ramaphosa who handed out the lifetime achievement awards of the night to the likes of Mbongeni Ngema (who was not in attendance), Steve Kekana and Spokes H. 

Despite the public’s reaction to the jokes about Bonang Matheba’s “rocks,” the night went off smoothly. So smoothly infact that many people in the arena were unaware that Skolopad had fainted at some point, allegedly due to exhaustion. 

• What to read next: SAMA 2018 winners so far

Main image credit: Kay Selisho