Maskandi star Umafikzolo wins Ukhozi FM's Song of the Year
Maskandi rising star UMafikizolo performs at the Last Dance Music Festival held at Royal Show Grounds in PMB.
Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo/Independent Newspaper
Maskandi musician uMafikizolo has won Ukhozi FM’s coveted title of Song of the Year - Ingoma Ehlukanisa Unyaka.
Lethukuthula "UMafikizolo" Mhlongo's hit track “Uyoncengwa Unyoko” has dominated the airwaves and streaming platforms since its release on July 31. The song has surpassed 21 million streams on Spotify and has accumulated 18 million views on YouTube.
The song recently received a major boost after ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula included it in his personal top 10 songs of 2025. “Uyoncengwa Unyoko” features at number nine on the list.
The rising star managed to get enough votes to win the Song of the Year competition, beating stiff competition, adding a nod to his successful run since the release of the song.
UMafikzolo, in a post on Facebook, expressed his gratitude to his supporters.
“Angilutho ngaphandle kwabantu Ngyabonga kunina nonkeeee.” Loosely translated in Zulu (I am nothing without people. I am grateful to all of you).
Ukhozi FM has established the tradition of selecting the Song of the Year, playing it on New Year's Eve, when the clock strikes midnight. The musician not only walks away with bragging rights but also a new car.
As the most listened-to radio station in South Africa, the results of Ukhozi FM’s song of the year are taken very seriously.
Other winners of Song of the Year on other radio stations include -
DJ Tira’s “Awungazi” With CampMasters, and Pcee won on Gagasi FM,
“Isaka (6AM), by Ciza, Jazzworx, and Thukuthela won on Metro FM,
“Rato Laka” by Naqua SA, Zee Nxumalo, and Shebeshxt won on Thobela FM
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