The 30th Annual South African Music Awards (or SAMA 30) took place on 2 November 2024 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Gauteng.

[2] The remaining nominations were announced on 26 September 2024 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Gauteng, where the ceremony would take place.

[a] YouTube and SABC1 partnered with RiSA to live stream and broadcast the event on 2 November 2024,[7] at 20:00 South Africa Standard Time (UTC+02:00).

[12][13] On 2 November 2024, Tyla emerged as the most awarded artist with four accolades, ahead of Kabza de Small and Mthunzi with three.

[1] In memoriam segment was introduced by host Minnie Dlamini, with "Angiphili Mawungekho" by Sabelo Mthembu playing in the background.

Tyla's "Water" lost the Record of the Year award to Mthandeni SK and Lwah Ndlunkulu's "Paris".

Following the conclusion of the main show on 2 November, Cassper Nyovest posted on Twitter to express his feelings on how Tyla was snubbed of the accolade.

[19] In response, Mthandeni SK implied that Nyovest, a hip hop musician, was trying to use maskandi to regain fame.

[22] Although Mafokate was acquitted due to lack of evidence to prosecute,[23] the Women for Change organization called for a boycott for Chris Brown's South African concert in December 2024 due to his controversial past,[24] but the South African Music Awards celebrated Mafokate's performance.