Zahara bags 8 SAMA awards

Cape Town - MUSIC sensation Zahara bagged an astonishing EIGHT awards at the MTN South African Music Awards held in Sun City on Monday night.

The singer, born Bulelwa Mkutukana, won in all the categories in which she was nominated.

Singer-songwriter Zahara won big at the main event of the 18th annual South African Music Awards, scooping five statuettes.

Zahara also opened the awards ceremony, held at Sun City on Monday, with her award-winning single, Loliwe.

Her album Loliwe won in the Best Smooth Urban Music Album, Special Award: Best Selling Album and Album of the Year categories.

The Eastern Cape-born artist was also named Newcomer of the Year as well as Female Artist of the Year.

Finally, the Best Collaboration SAMA went to Zahara featuring Georgy for Incwad'Encane.

Here is the full list of winners at the 18th annual South African Music Awards:

Best Alternative Album
The Dirty Skirts for Lost In The Fall

Best Kiddies Album
Wendy Oldfield for Singalong Kidz Volume 2

Best Smooth Urban Music Album
Zahara for Loliwe

Best Contemporary Faith Music Album
The Plain Truth â€" We Are The Shining Ones

Best Classical and Instrumental Album
CH2 for Ping

Best Collaboration
Zahara featuring Georgy for Incwad'Encane

Best Jazz Album
Jimmy Dludlu for Tonota

Best Pop Album
Lloyd Cele for One

Best African Adult Album
Zonke for Ina Ethe

Best Rock Album
Shadowclub for Guns and Money

Best Traditional Music Album
Soul Brothers for Amaphutha

Best Traditional Faith Music Album
Solly Mahlangu for Mwamba Mwamba

Best Street Urban Music Album
AKA for Altar Ego

Best Sokkie Dans Album
Snotkop for Ek Laaik Van Jol

Best Adult Contemporary Album
Elvis Blue for Elvis Blue (2CD Special Edition)

Best Maskandi Album
Thokozani Langa for I-Protection Order

Best Kwaito Album
Big Nuz for Pound for Pound

Best Dance Album
Mi Casa for Mi Casa Music

Special Award:  Best Selling Album
Loliwe by Zahara

Special Award:  MTN Best Selling Mobile Music Download
Facebook by DJ Cleo

Newcomer of the Year
Zahara for Loliwe

Duo/Group of the Year
Mi Casa for Mi Casa Music

Male Artist of the Year
AKA for Altar Ego

Female Artist of the Year
Zahara for Loliwe

MTN Record of the Year
Mi Casa for These Streets

Album of the Year
Loliwe by Zahara