Rebecca Malope to receive lifetime honour at Basadi in Music Awards
Legendary gospel artist Dr Rebecca Malope will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 Basadi in Music Awards.
The 4th annual ceremony is set to take place on Saturday, 2 August, at the Joburg Theatre.
'We are proud to announce our Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Dr Rebecca Malope… Her soul-stirring voice and unwavering dedication have shaped the heartbeat of our nation's music for decades,' the organisation announced.
Malope, often referred to as the Queen of Gospel, has had a career spanning more than three decades and remains one of South Africa's most celebrated artists.
In addition to Malope's honour, the awards will recognise women across a range of categories in music, media, and entertainment.
ALSO READ: Wilson B Nkosi to receive Lifetime Achievement honour
Full list of Basadi in Music Awards 2025 nominees
The awards will be held over two days, starting on Friday, 1 August 2025, with the Vanguard Awards, which honour women working behind the scenes in entertainment.
The main Basadi in Music Awards ceremony will take place the following day, Saturday, 2 August, at the Joburg Theatre, recognising musical excellence across a wide range of genres and categories.
The Vanguard Awards – Day 1
Artist Manager of the Year:
Hloni Hlo Mohlala
Phindile Matroshe
Tholsi Pillay
Maphuthi Perez
Miss T Thwala
Entertainment Radio Presenter of the Year:
Relebogile Mabotja – 702 Unplugged Sessions
Lootlove – The Touchdown on Metro FM
Hlekani Shikwambana – Capricorn Experience, Capricorn FM
Lebo Maoela – Lesedi FM
Kgomotso Meso – Kaya 959
Mannehileng Letuka – Lesedi FM
Entertainment Journalist of the Year:
Keitumetse Maako – News24
Joy Mphande – TshisaLIVE
Nokuthula Zwane – Media24
Mbali Mbatha – City Press
Mapule Pule – Maftown Online
Choreographer of the Year:
Delta the Leo
Bontle Modiselle-Moloi
Tlhogi Molefi
Entertainment TV Presenter of the Year:
Lerai Newsish – MTV Base
Zanele Potela – Hotspot Seli
Mpumi Mlambo – Ushuni Womhlaba, SABC 1
Best Styled Artist of the Year:
Faith K
Moozlie
Kamo Mphela
Anele Zondo (Ney the Bae)
Entertainment TV Producer of the Year:
Relebogile Mabotja – Tyla's Showmax Homecoming Concert
Dineo Lusenga – The Orbit (YouTube)
Entertainment Radio Producer of the Year:
Tlou Tlonae – Capricorn Breakfast, Capricorn FM
Phindile Mthombeni – The AM Prime Show, Emalahleni FM
Noni Khumalo – The Lunch League Y
Dineo Lusenga – The Midday Link Up, Metro FM
Make-Up Artist of the Year:
Bongi Mlotswa
Nomsa Madida
Nono Linchwe
Stephy Kwanaite
Hairstylist of the Year:
Hair by Nana R
Ntombomzi Lekgoro
Mbalezwehair
Jullz_Hairstylist
Tumelo Mj Afrobotique
Podcast Presenter of the Year:
Pharoahfi – Popcorn and Cheese
Relebogile Mabotja – The Relebogile Mabotja Podcast
Laconco – Timeline with Laconco
Si Jones – Si Sessions Africa
The Music Awards – Day 2
Afropop Artist of the Year:
Zethe – Abantu
Nomakhosini – Angsafuni Ngami
Motlanalo – Goya Goyile
Naledi Aphiwe – Romeo and Juliet
Lwah Ndlunkulu – Mnakwethu
Amapiano Artist of the Year:
Kamo Mphela – Woza
Pabi Cooper – Pabi Jo
Zee Nxumalo – Ngisakuthanda
Bassie Kwelanga – 2.0
Babalwa M – Bothata
Sofnfree Artist of the Year:
Zee Nxumalo – Ngisakuthanda
Xolly Mncwango – Liyabasebenzela
Kamo Mphela – Woza
Nontokozo Mkhize – Esandleni
Makhadzi – Number 1
Collaboration of the Year:
Cici & Liema – Pantsi Impumelelo
Babalwa M & Yallunder – Mthuthuzeli
Mpho Sebina & Lioness Ratang – Lioness
Nosipho, Cici & Liema – Home
Boohle, DEE Koala & K Mat – Iskhath' Sam Manje
Dance Artist of the Year:
Manana Highness – Mdali
Makhadzi – Number 1
Shandesh – Sdudla/Slender
Kharishma – Chokesmal
Azana – Abogogo
DJ of the Year:
Lerato Kganyago
DJ Tshepi
Lamiez Holworthy
DJ Zinhle
Kele Megano
Gospel Artist of the Year:
Mapula Monyepao – Hale Phirimile
Nontokozo Mkhize – Esandleni
Sneizy Uyinqaba – Yethu
Xolly Mncwango – Liyabasebenzela
Sindi Ntombela – Ulithemba Lethu
Hip Hop Artist of the Year:
Ms Kulie – Dyi Baddie
Nadia Nakai – No Problems
Gigi Lamayne – Bleed Mama
StaticFlo – Seven7
Faith – K Qosh
Jazz Artist of the Year:
Salphina Kadiaka – Champaign
Rorisang Sechele – Tsoga
Tshenolo – Freedom Song
Gabi Motuba – Order My Steps
Reggae Artist of the Year:
Dimahr – Dry Tears
Undefynd – Danceholic
Lani M – Carried Away
Sankie Fayauman – Motherland
MadaGlory – Graceful Dub
Traditional Artist of the Year:
Phumla Music – Makhonjwa
MmaAusi – 2 Pula
Esther Mphahlele – Basadi
Miss Hillary – Hangwani
Song of the Year:
Zee Nxumalo – Ngisakuthanda
Bassie Kwelanga – 2.0
Nontokozo Mkhize – Esandleni
Aya Msani – Dubai 2.0
Lwa Ndlunkulu – Mnakwethu
Songwriter of the Year:
Bongiwe Mngomezulu – Uyangihola
Liema Pantsi – Let Me Be
Cnethemba Gonelo – Lindishonele
Motlanalo – Goya Goyile
Zoe Modiga – Uyakhazimula
Newcomer of the Year:
Nonny Muji – Nguye
Ayarhkay – Hamba
Lani M – What You Made Of
Mega Snowflake – Aketeng
Pop Artist of the Year:
Chante – Stay the Night
Tasha Baxter – Bipolar Bear
Jamie Lee Sexton – Missing
Anica Kiana – Kiss Me Hard
Music Video of the Year:
Liema Pantsi – Let Me Be
Zee Nxumalo – Ngisakuthanda
Naledi Aphiwe – Ngiyabonga
Kharishma – Chokeslem
Pabi Cooper – Pabi Jo
NOW READ: Like father, Like son: Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh earns law degree
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