After two previous date changes, the highly anticipated second annual South African Amapiano Awards faced yet another setback as it was abruptly canceled on Tuesday, December 12. Attendees, prepared for what was supposed to be Amapiano’s grand night, were instead greeted with a sign reading, “Amapiano Awards cancelled due to non-payment from organisers.”

This unfortunate turn of events unfolded when representatives from Bathu, the awards’ main sponsor, notified the media at the last hour that the event had been canceled. Bathu had initially partnered with the awards for an April 2023 event at SunBet Arena, which later got postponed to November and eventually rescheduled for December 12.

Also, read; Renowned South African Musician Zahara Passes Away at 35

The organizers, seemingly grappling with various challenges, faced criticism for failing to secure the venue, The Galleria in Sandton, a well-known host for numerous entertainment industry events in Johannesburg.

In an official statement, the organizers acknowledged the cancellation, citing “circumstances beyond their control” as the reason for the difficult decision. Despite earlier enthusiasm surrounding the rescheduled December date, featuring a stellar lineup with hosts like Bontle Modiselle and performers including Musa Keys, Toss, MaWhoo, and Babalwa M, the awards faced an unexpected demise.

Questions loom over the fate of venue payments and the reasons behind the organizers’ struggle to execute a seamless event. The Amapiano community, eagerly anticipating a night of celebration, now awaits further clarity on the future of the awards.