Lasizwe and Kay Yarms Reject SASMA Votes Over Paid System

JOHANNESBURG — 22 August 2025

Popular social media influencers Lasizwe and Kay Yarms have asked fans not to spend money voting for them in the South African Social Media Awards (SASMAs), criticising the event’s paid voting system.

The SASMAs, celebrating online impact creators and brands, will hold its ceremony on November 22. Voting costs R10 for four votes and closes November 8. The nomination alone satisfies both stars.

Lasizwe stated in an Instagram video: “Please don’t vote for me. These three nominations already mean my work is appreciated. That, for me, is a win.”

He challenged the paid model: “The voting system costs money, and I do not believe you should have to pay to show support. That money could go towards bread, electricity, taxi fare and actual survival.” He called audience engagement “the real award” rather than “a piece of glass that will collect dust.” (Instagram)

Nominated in two categories, Kay Yarms echoed the stance, telling Instagram followers: “With all due respect, please don’t vote for me either.” She criticised the SASMAs’ approach: “Every year something about these awards has never quite sat right with me.”

Kay Yarms described past interactions: “Biggest red flag for me was when they sent me an email one year sending me a script, that I should make a video encouraging my audience to vote for me to be nominated.” She added: “It’s giving ‘help us build our platform, then ask your audience to send us money through votes.’” (Instagram stories)

Both creators emphasized that audience support means more than trophies.