PULANE MAPHARI thought she had won the South African Music Award for her album, Sacrificial Worship (Live).
But she was in for a very rude surprise when the award was withdrawn.
“MAPHARI REPACKAGED AN ALBUM SHE RELEASED IN 2020!” SAID THE ORGANISERS.
Pulane was left heartbroken after the Samas took back her award.
She had won the Best Contemporary Faith Album Award last month.
The Samas released a statement on Tuesday, 13 September, saying she submitted her 2020 album which is strictly against the rules.
“It has come to the attention of the office that Maphari repackaged, renamed and paraded an album she released in 2020 as a new body of work, and submitted it for 2021 consideration with the same track listing,” read the statement.
“As a consequence, Nhlanhla Sibisi, RiSA (Recording Industry of South Africa) CEO, has suspended the Sama project team and instituted internal disciplinary processes.
“Furthermore, the artist is disqualified and further investigations are underway to determine whether further action needs to be taken.”
Sibisi said the integrity of the Samas was of utmost importance.
“We take seriously any complaint we receive regarding how the winners are chosen, and the conduct of our office and the panel of judges.”
Pulane said she found out about the matter on social media.
“I immediately went to my emails to check.”
She said they were not asking any questions in the email. “I felt really gutted and I was confused as well. I didn’t know how we got there. I’m hoping to contact them and find out what happened.”
She said the album is different from the one released in 2020. “The album released in 2020 was an audio called Sacrificial Worship. The one released in 2021 was Sacrificial Worship (Live).”
“These albums are totally different. We added another song onto the new album and brought new things, and the arrangements were different as well. The way they are painting it’s that I’m a bad person. It’s like I rebranded to win the Sama, but that’s not the case.”
The award has now been given to Kingdmusic, who had the second-highest score. Kingdmusic, whose real name is Denga Takalani, said he was over the moon.
