With the Grammys announcing South African musicians Musa Keys and Tyla and comedian Trevor Noah to be in the running for an award, what better way to celebrate South African talent by acknowledging those who have won the prestigious award in the past.
Both Musa and Tyla have been nominated for Best African Music Performance (Musa for Unavailable with Davido and Tyla for Water) while Trevor received a nod for Best Comedy Album for his Netflix special, Trevor Noah: I Wish You Would.
Below are seven South Africans that have been awarded the golden gramophone.
Miriam Makeba
Known as Mama Africa, the late Miriam Makeba was a talent like no other. Known for her hits The Click Song and Pata Pata, Miriam became the first African artist to win a Grammy in 1966 for Best Folk Recording for the joint album, An Evening With Belafonte/Makeba, with Harry Belafonte.
Soweto Gospel Choir
The Soweto Gospel Choir is one of two South African groups that have won a Grammy award. Although they have received five nominations in the past, the have secured three wins: Best Traditional World Music Album for Blessed (2007) and African Spirit (2008), and Best World Music Album for Freedom.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Having been nominated a total of 17 times, the legendary Ladysmith Black Mambazo have won five Grammy awards, the most won by any South African. At the 30th annual Grammy award, they won their first golden gramophone for Best Traditional Folk Recording for Shaka Zulu. They then went on to win Best Traditional World Music Album for Raise Your Spirit Higher and Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu, and Best World Music Album for Live: Singing For Peace Around The World and Shaka Zulu Revisited: 30th Anniversary Celebration.
Wouter Kellerman
Four-time Grammy-nominated flautist Wouter Kellerman won his first Grammy in 2015 under the category Best New Age Album for Winds Of Samsara. This year, at the 65th edition of the prestigious music awards ceremony, he scooped up another one for the song Bayethe (Best Global Music Performance).
Black Coffee
The trailblazing deejay and producer Nkosinathi Maphumulo, better known as Black Coffee, is another South African musician added to the list of Grammy winners. Nominated for the first time in 2022 for Best Dance/Electronic Music Album for the album Subconsciously, Black Coffee won the award with his son by his side.
Nomcebo Zikode
Known for the hit Jerusalema with Master KG that took the world by storm, songtress Nomcebo Zikode secured her first Grammy win this year alongside Wouter and Zakes Bantwini for the song Bayethe.
Zakes Bantwini
KwaMashu-born artist Zakes Bantwini, whose real name is Zakhele Madida, stepped on the stage of the 65th Annual Grammy Awards this year alongside Wouter and Nomcebo to receive the prestigious award for their hit song Bayethe.
The 66th annual Grammy Awards is set to take place on 5 February 2024.
Also see: Tyla and Musa Keys are South Africa’s youngest Grammy nominees
