Rustenburg - Siseko Pame arrived with nothing but hope for the night and he went away with so much more. Pame won the best African adult album award at the 24th South African Music Awards (SAMA) held at Sun City near Rustenburg in the North West on Friday night.
He described the feeling as something "one can’t get used to". " I did not think I was going to win today [Friday] because I am a first time nominee. The album is my first album and I don’t have much experience in the industry. The album took me three years to make and I thought that was too much," he said.
The ethno soul singer from Duncan Village in East London in the Eastern Cape is a first-time SAMA nominee for his 15-track album Ilanga (the sun). He said the title was the reason things had opened up for him. "Ilanga means the sun and that for me symbolises many things, such as a bright future, greatness, and the goodness of the lord." He was up against Joe Nina and Siphokazi Siphokazi, among others, and said fans could expect more music from him.
Other winners on the night included Sun-EL Musician and Samthing Soweto for Akanamali under the best collaboration award. The best contemporary faith music album award went to Nqubeko Mbatha. The best remix award went to Encore for Ke fela pelo, and the best African artist award went to Simphiwe Dana. The main event will be held on Saturday. Nominees include Kwesta Dakar, AKA, Mafikizolo, Lady Zamar, and Shekinah.