Celebrating female talent: Relebogile Mabotja and Makhadzi nominated for the 2025 Basadi in Music Awards

As the countdown begins for the 2025 Basadi in Music Awards, South Africans have cast their votes for the female trailblazers who are reshaping the entertainment landscape.

The awards honour women shaping the entertainment landscape through creativity, resilience and influence.

The Basadi in Music Awards has long stood as a beacon for recognising female talent, and this year takes a significant leap forward with an expanded range of categories.

Women from various sectors of the entertainment industry will receive awards across new categories like Manager of the Year, Makeup Artist of the Year, Podcast Presenter of the Year and Choreographer of the Year, in addition to traditional honours.

Among the notable nominees this year, Relebogile Mabotja leads the nominations pack with a remarkable three nominations in the categories Entertainment Radio Presenter of the Year, Entertainment TV Producer of the Year and Podcast Presenter of the Year.

Makhadzi, DJ Zinhle and Zee Nxumalo are also on the list. 

Mabotja will be up against the likes of Lootluv, Dineo Lusenga and "The Real Housewives of Durban" reality star, Laconco in respective categories.

Speaking on her triple nomination, Mabotja said: "It’s such a blessing to be recognised across the different mediums I pour my heart into. Each space allows me to connect with people in a unique way, and I’m so grateful to every listener, viewer, subscriber, follower and voter who has supported my journey and continually shares love for my work."

Joining Mabotja in the fray is singer Makhadzi, who has received two nominations for her electrifying hit "Number 1" vying for both Dance Artist of the Year and Artist of the Year.

The competition is fierce, especially in the coveted DJ of the Year category, where DJ Zinhle will face off against notable figures such as Lerato Kganyago, Lamiez Holworthy, Kele Megano and DJ Tshepi.

The emerging talents, including newcomers like Nonny Muji, Ayarhkay, Lani M and Mega Snowflake, add another layer of excitement to this year’s nominations.

Hloni Modise Matau, CEO of the Basadi in Music Awards, expressed her excitement for this year's event: "These awards celebrate female excellence in the music industry. While progress has been made, there is still work to be done. Big things happen when women support each other. This is for all queens with big dreams who may be hesitant, I want them to see that achieving greatness is possible."

As anticipation builds for this extraordinary celebration of feminine excellence, the Basadi in Music Awards continue to forge pathways for recognition and empowerment, proving that the contributions of women in entertainment are both vital and transformative.

The 2025 Basadi in Music Awards will be held on August 1 and 2 at the Joburg Theatre.