The 2026 Basadi in Music Awards took place from the 7th to 8th of 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 YearCollaboration 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 YearDJ 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 YearPop 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 YearJazz 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 YearSong 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 – MammaSAMRO 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 LekgoroMake 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 References