Lasizwe on his Sasmas nominations
Content creator Lasizwe Dambuza has stunned many by requesting his supporters to refrain from voting for him at the forthcoming 2025 South African Social Media Awards (Sasmas).
The 27-year-old influencer, who has earned three nominations, the highest of any contestant this year, stated that he cannot, in good conscience, urge people to spend money on votes while many South Africans face financial hardships.
Lasizwe is in the running for African Social Media Star of the Year, Most Popular Content Across Platforms, and Social Media Personality of the Year, competing against global icons such as Tyla, Black Coffee, and Khaby Lame. However, rather than soliciting votes, he has expressed a preference for his fans to keep their funds.
“The voting system costs money, and I do not believe you should have to pay to show support,” he detailed in a straightforward Instagram video.
“That money could go towards bread, electricity, taxi fare, and actual survival. I can’t ask you to spend your hard-earned money on a piece of glass that will collect dust.”
The Sasmas charge R10 for four votes, and Lasizwe’s position has sparked a discussion about whether such awards prioritize profit over genuine recognition.
On X, he reiterated his message, stating: “Please don’t vote for me for the Sasma awards, especially if you will be spending your money that I won’t receive.”
His candor has garnered mixed responses.
While some have lauded him for his stance against what appears to be exploitation, others have accused him of sending mixed signals or leveraging the controversy to enhance his visibility.
Influencer Kay Yarms later echoed his thoughts, intensifying the ongoing dialogue regarding the commercialization of awards.
This is not the first occasion Lasizwe has utilized his platform to tackle social issues.
In 2021, his #R10GoesALongWay initiative raised over R2-million to assist underprivileged students with their tuition, solidifying his image as a socially aware creator.
Lasizwe, who initially gained recognition through Facebook skits before starring in shows like Awkward Dates and the reality series Lasizwe: Fake It Till You Make It, now enjoys millions of followers across his various platforms.
With voting for the Sasmas open until November 8, the outspoken creator has unequivocally stated that he does not wish to ask fans to invest their money for his sake.
