Lasizwe on his Sasmas nods
Content creator Lasizwe Dambuza has left many surprised after asking his fans not to vote for him in the upcoming 2025 South African Social Media Awards (Sasmas).
The 27-year-old star, who secured three nominations, the most of any nominee this year, said he could not, in good conscience, encourage people to spend money on votes while South Africans continue to struggle financially.
Lasizwe is nominated for African Social Media Star of the Year, Most Popular Content Across Platforms, and Social Media Personality of the Year, where he will go head-to-head with global names like Tyla, Black Coffee and Khaby Lame. Yet, instead of campaigning, he made it clear he would rather his supporters keep their money.
“The voting system costs money, and I do not believe you should have to pay to show support,” he explained in a candid 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 stance has since fuelled debate about whether such awards are more about profit than recognition.
On X, he doubled down, writing: “Please don’t vote for me for the Sasma awards, especially if you will be spending your money that I won’t receive.”
His honesty has been met with mixed reactions.
While some applauded him for taking a stand against what they see as exploitation, others accused him of sending mixed signals or using the controversy to boost his visibility.
Influencer Kay Yarms later echoed his sentiments, adding more fire to the ongoing conversation about the commercialisation of awards.
This is not the first time Lasizwe has used his platform to address social issues.
Back in 2021, his #R10GoesALongWay campaign raised over R2-million to assist underprivileged students with tuition fees, cementing his reputation as a socially conscious creator.
Lasizwe, who first gained fame through Facebook skits before landing shows like Awkward Dates and the reality series Lasizwe: Fake It Till You Make It, now boasts millions of followers across his platforms.
While voting for the Sasmas runs until November 8, the outspoken creator has made it clear: he wants no part in asking fans to sacrifice their money for him.