KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development has decided to cancel hosting the 2023 South African Music Awards (SAMAs).
This cancellation comes after opposition from political parties, including the Democratic Alliance and ActionSA, who were against the government’s allocation of R20 million in funding for the event.
The SAMAs are the country’s most significant music industry awards and provide economic benefits to the region. While government funding was intended to support the event, opposition parties raised concerns about the amount allocated.
The Department denies that the cancellation is a result of political pressure.
ActionSA has welcomed the decision, and the organizer of the SAMAs, the Recording Industry of South Africa, has not commented on the matter.
