Thabsie Joins SASMA 2026 Judging Panel

The South African Social Media Awards (SASMA) are gearing up for another major celebration of the country’s ever-growing digital and creator economy, with singer and songwriter Thabsie taking on a new role as one of the judges for the 2026 awards.

The highly anticipated awards will take place on 21 November 2026, bringing together some of South Africa’s most influential content creators, social media personalities, brands and digital innovators. Voting is already underway, having opened on 23 August and set to close on 7 November 2026.

This year’s judging panel brings together voices from different corners of the entertainment, media, branding and content-creation industries. Joining Thabsie are brand strategist Lebo Raputsoe, content creator Minenhle Langa, actress, MC and media personality Angela Linda, and content creator Bonolo Twala.

Thabsie, who has built a strong reputation in South Africa’s music industry, recently appeared on POWER 98.7, where she opened up about being part of the judging panel and why platforms such as SASMA matter in an industry that continues to grow at lightning speed.

Speaking about the opportunity, Thabsie said, “I’m so excited. An incredible platform for social media influencers and content creators. I do think it’s great we have music awards, we have film awards, tv awards and I definitely think that social media users and content creators deserve a platform to shine and be honoured.”

Her comments highlight just how dramatically the entertainment landscape has changed. Social media is no longer simply a place to post pictures, videos or updates. For many creators, it has become a full-time career, a business platform and a powerful way of influencing culture and conversations.

The South African Social Media Awards celebrate excellence across the social media landscape, recognising brands, influencers, creators and digital tools that are making an impact. The awards shine a spotlight on standout campaigns, individuals and innovations, while giving everyone involved in content creation an opportunity to be recognised.

With Thabsie and the rest of the judging panel bringing their different experiences to the table, the 2026 SASMA promises to be an especially interesting showcase of South Africa’s digital talent. And with voting still open, the power is firmly in the hands of the public to decide which creators and personalities deserve their moment in the spotlight.