The South African Music Awards (SAMAs) congratulate previous SAMA winning and nominated artists, Tyla and Makhadzi on their exceptional and well-deserved wins during the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards at the weekend. Makhadzi won Best Traditional Album at SAMA 29 and Tyla was nominated for Music Video of the Year for SAMA 29.

Both artists have waved the South African flag with pride, making their fans and followers across the world and in South Africa proud. The ever sensational Tyla bagged two gongs - Best New Artist and Best International Act. This is historic as Tyla is only the third artist to win Best New Artist award, who was born outside the United States. She follows Nicki Minaj, who was born in Trinidad, and Sam Smith, who was born in England.

In January, Tyla’s breakthrough hit, Water, reached peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. The following month; it earned her a Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance - making the 22-year-old, the youngest Grammy winner from South Africa. The ever exuberant, Makhadzi fulfilled the promise she gave her fans, by bringing the BET Award Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act home.

SAMA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi expressed his joy: “The era that the South Africa music industry finds itself in is beautiful. We are making our mark. There is no doubt that South African talent is rich , vibrant and ready as ever to be on the big stages. Congratulations to both women -Tyla and Makhadzi, we are very proud to see our previous SAMA winning and nominated artists paving the way for others.”