'Continue to inspire' - Kodwa praises 'global superstar' Tyla

The 22-year-old Tyla Laura Seethal won a Grammy in the newly introduced category of Best African Music Performance on Sunday.

Tyla accepted her award at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards premiere ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. 

She was nominated alongside Asake and Olamide, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, and Davido featuring Musa Keys.

Tyla won for her popular afro piano and R&B song Water, which gained global popularity by trending on TikTok challenges and topping the charts on the Billboard Hot 100.

Kodwa said Tyla's win confirms her status as a global music superstar.

"Her meteoric success has been truly inspiring, and there is so much more to come. Tyla is a proud ambassador of South African arts and culture. I congratulate Tyla for a historic Grammy Award win, which comes before she has even released a full album.

“Continue to inspire and to raise the South African flag high," said Kodwa.

Kodwa also congratulated all the South African artists nominated for the 66th Grammy Awards. 

South African-born comedian Trevor Noah hosted the awards for a fourth time.

He was also nominated for “Best Comedy Album”.

Acapella group Just 6 were nominated in the “Best Arrangement, Instrumental or Acapella” category, while Musa Keys was nominated was nominated for “Best African Performance” for his collaboration with Nigerian artist Davido.

In her acceptance speech, Tyla said she never thought she'd win a  Grammy at 22 years of age.

"If you don't know me, my name is Tyla. I'm from South Africa and last year God decided to change my whole life, so thank you so much to God,” she said on stage.

Thank you to my team and my family. I know my mother's crying somewhere in here.”

She also thanked the Recording Academy for introducing the new category focusing on African artists.

" It's so important, and I know I'm forgetting some things, but I won a Grammy! Thank you, thank you," said Tyla.

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