2026 Basadi in Music Awards

2026 Basadi in Music Awards
Sponsored by	SAMPRA
Date	7-8 August 2026
Venue	Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein
Country	South Africa
Hosted by	Unathi Nkayi Anele Zondo Nomuzi Mabena Lerato Kganyago
Most awards	MaWhoo (2)
Most nominations	Zee Nxumalo (6), MaWhoo (5)
Website	basadiinmusicawards.co.za
Television/radio coverage
Network	SABC 2

The 2026 Basadi in Music Awards took place on 07-08 August, 2026, at the Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein, Johannesburg to celebrate and honour women in South African music industry.

Zee Nxumalo received most nominations with total of 6 nods, followed by MaWhoo with 5.

Background

Nominations for 2026 event were open from 30 April and ran up until 30 May, marking their fifth year of recognising and celebrating women in the music industry.

Winners and nominees

Below list are nominees. Winners are listed first in bold face.

Music Awards

Afro Pop Artist of the Year	Amapiano Artist of the Year
Kelly Khumalo – ‘Nyamezela’ Aya Msani – ‘Sondela’ Maleh – ‘Khotso Le Lesedi’ (Lesotho) Nonny Muji – ‘Lo Bhuti’ Pretty Masompisi – ‘eKhaya’ Phumla Music – ‘Brand New’	MaWhoo DBN Gogo Kamo Mphela Nkosazana Daughter Nobuhle Thatohatsi Zee Nxumalo
Artist of the Year	Best Female Feature of the Year
Zee Nxumalo Ayra Starr (Nigeria) Kharishma MaWhoo Mmatema Nkosazana Daughter Shandesh Tyla	Sam Deep, Nia Pearl & Boohle featuring Mano – ‘Shela’ De Rose – ‘Lutho’ Kabza De Small featuring Nontokozo Mkhize & Mthunzi – ‘Siyabonga’ Kabza De Small, MDU aka TRP featuring Zawadi Yamungu – ‘Lawuleka’ Kelvin Momo featuring Zee_nhle, Mashudu & Mano – ‘Spani Sam’ MaWhoo, GL_Ceejay, Jazzworx & Thukuthela featuring Tracy & Thatohatsi – ‘Tholukuthi (Bengicela)’
Best Styled Artist of the Year	Collaboration of the Year
Thabsie Lamiez Holworthy DJ Zinhle Nia Pearl Uncle Waffles (eSwatini) Zawadi Yamungu Zee Nxumalo	Lwah Ndlunkulu & Starr Healer – ‘Allowance’ Cici & Naledi Aphiwe – ‘Amen’ DJ Zinhle & Thabsie – ‘Kusazokhanya’ Erin Elliot & Sophia Frank – ‘Birthday Cake’ MaWhoo & Zee Nxumalo – ‘Sesamukela’ Mamakie Motlogelwa & Mmaausi – ‘Chuku’
Dance Music Artist of the Year	DJ of the Year
Kharishma Babes Wodumo DJ Zinhle & Liema Pantsi Shandesh Uncle Waffles (eSwatini)	DBN Gogo DJ Lesa Kasi Duchaz Kele Megano Lerato Kganyago Uncle Waffles (eSwatini)
Gospel Artist of the Year	Pop Artist of the Year
Mmatema – ‘Oa Ntwanela’ Ada Ehi – ‘Maberumo’ (Nigeria) Futhi Mhlongo – ‘Phat Igama LikaJesu’ HLE – ‘Blessed’ Musa Yende – ‘Kubo Bonke’	Ava like Lava - Tokyo Thrift Erin Elliot – She Said Shekhinah – What Are We? Sophia Frank – Overrated Anica Kiana – Not The Same
Hip-Hop Artist of the Year	Jazz Artist of the Year
Ney The Bae – Whole City Bomb$hell Grenade ft. Yo Maps – Weka (Zambia) K.Keed – Dilemma Mega Snowflake – Biggest Nadia Nakai – REALLY Rouge ft. Moozlie & Nadia Nakai – Juicy XXC Legacy ft. Emtee – Legacy	Judith Sephuma - Makeba Busigold – Mvelinqangi Kearoma Rantao – Keledi Marameng (Botswana) Melorie Jane – Now Open Your Eyes Nokuthula Fundama – Wothini Na
Reggae Artist of the Year	Song of the Year
Cindy Sanye - Nayise Naye (Uganda) Dimahr – Ancient Waters Empress Deevyne – You’re Worthy Undefynd Musiq – Beacon Cathy Matete – We Won’t Be Silent (Kenya)	Nothando Hlophe - Methodist Medley Ayra Starr – Hot Body (Nigeria) Kamo Mphela – Partii Kharishma – Wa Inama MaWhoo – Bengicela Tyla – Chanel Zee Nxumalo – Mamma
SAMRO Songwriter of the year	Traditional Artist of the year
Nonny Muji - Lo Bhuti Buhlebendalo – Zulu Cici and Naledi Aphiwe – Amen Thando Zide – Emandulo Zawadi Yamungu – Woza Wemvula Maleh – Dithapelo (Lesotho)	Buhlebendalo - Zulu Dr Nothembi – Isinya Lekosini Mamakie Motlogelwa & Mmaausi – Chuku Miss Hilary – A ni tleli Thope Tse Khang – Li Peke (Lesotho)
Newcomer of the Year
Simphiwe Black - Edolobeni Busigold – Mvelinqangi De Rose – Kwa Gogo Mafuthi Madondo – Vumani Sakhile – U’lo

Vanguard Awards

Artist Manager of the Year	Entertainment Journalist of the Year
Sannah Thwala Daisy Thato Selebogo (Botswana) Mela Mtimande Shiran Weltsman Thuli Kweupile Vanessa Mazabane	Ivie Ani (OkayAfrica / Vanity Fair / Vibe) (Nigeria) Joy Mphande (TimesLive) Lopang Mokae (Newzroom Afrika) Oluthando Keteyi (IOL Entertainment) Phumi Ramalepe (News24)
Entertainment Radio Presenter of the Year	Entertainment Radio Producer of the Year
Boipelo Mooketsi (5FM – 5 After Hours) Bolele Polisa (947 - The Frequency ) Lebo Maoela (Lesedi FM - Rea Thella Afternoon Drive Show) Lebo Ndiya (Motsweding FM -Megagamola) Lerato Kganyago (Metro FM - Midday Link-Up)	Letty Nyathela Chili (Ikwekwezi FM – Emthonjeni) Masego (5FM - 5 Drive ) Nthabiseng Mamabolo (Radio 2000 -Better together) Phila Tyekana (Kaya 959 – Drive 959)
Entertainment TV Producer of the Year	Hairstylist of the Year
Minnie Dlamini (Club Bangers – Channel O) Dibuseng Meloe (The Morning Show) Thapelo Mowela (Morning Live)	Smangele Sibisi Irene de Fonseca Jessica Neyasi Chiau (Mozambique) Ntombomzi Lekgoro
Make Up Artist of the Year	Podcast Presenter of the Year
Zamo Dlamini (eSwatini) Bokamoso Dikobe Carol Nleya (Zimbabwe) Nono Linchwe Renee De Wit	Khanyi Mars (Yano Lyrics) Anyiko Owoko (VIP Access) (Kenya) Londi London (Read The Room) Relebogile Mabotja (Relebogile Mabotja Podcast) Yanda Woods (Spreading Humours)
Stylist of the Year	TV Show Presenter of the Year
Khanyisile Mdletshe Mamello Makha Siyamthanda Ndube Thato Ndzimande	Kuhle Adams (Expresso) Candice Modiselle (One Gospel Easter Music Special) Nomalanga Shozi (Playlist @ Moloko) Penny Lebyane (Enklek Let's Connect)

Special Awards

Highest Air Play Award

• MaWhoo

CAPASSO Most Streamed Song

• Janesh

G100 Gallo Renaissance Award

• Thandiswa Mazwai
• Simphiwe Dana

Lifetime Achievement Award

• EstA M

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Dr Nothembi Mkhwebane

Trailblazer of the Year Award

• Bonang Matheba

International Recognition Award

• Monique Bingham