Ukhozi FM has officially unveiled the top ten contenders for its highly anticipated 2025 Song of the Year title, sparking excitement and lively debate among fans across South Africa. The announcement was made on 1 December 2025 by popular presenter Khathide “Tshatha” Ngobe during a live broadcast at Mojo’s Carwash & Shisanyama in Chesterville, setting the tone for what promises to be one of the tightest competitions in recent years.
The station introduced a revamped and more transparent voting system this year in an effort to avoid the controversies that have previously surrounded the competition. Instead of allowing the public to freely nominate songs from across the music landscape, Ukhozi FM curated a shortlist of 20 of the most influential tracks of the year. Listeners were then asked to vote for their top ten from this list, and those votes were used to determine the official 2025 finalists.
The updated system aims to address past criticism about bias, unclear nomination criteria, and alleged manipulation. By offering a more structured and auditable voting format, the station hopes to restore confidence in what has long been considered one of the country’s most culturally significant music honours.
A Dominant Year for 3-Step and Amapiano
The final top-ten list reflects the unstoppable force of 3-step and amapiano, genres that continue to reshape the South African music scene. The 3-step duo Jazzworx and Thukuthela feature an impressive three times in the top ten — a rare achievement that highlights their influence in 2025. Their collaborations, including Isaka (6 AM) with Ciza and Bengicela with MaWhoo, have received massive radio play and dominated social media trends throughout the year.
Rising star Zee Nxumalo also makes a strong appearance with two entries. Her emotional single Mamma has resonated with listeners nationwide, while Mali, her energetic collaboration with Dlala Thukzin, has become a staple at festivals and street parties.
The list is also notable for featuring only one Maskandi track — Umafikizolo’s Uyoncengwa Unyoko. While Maskandi has often featured in previous top-ten lists, the genre’s limited representation this year reflects the strong grip amapiano and 3-step have on younger audiences and mainstream radio.
Other major contenders include Shela by Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle and Mano; Sjava’s soulful Uyena; Order by Professor and Larny; and the club favourite Awungazi from DJ Tira, Pcee, Campmasters and General C’Mamane. These songs have all enjoyed impressive streaming numbers, viral dance challenges and heavy rotation on national radio.
A New Car Up for Grabs
In an exciting twist, Ukhozi FM announced that the artist behind the winning song will drive away in a brand-new VW Polo. The addition of a high-value prize has added even more anticipation to the competition, motivating artists to mobilise their fans and campaign harder than ever.
Listeners can cast their votes by sending an SMS to 32253, and voting will remain open until the final hours of 31 December. The winning track will be revealed during the legendary New Year’s Eve crossover, a moment that millions of South Africans tune in for each year. For many, the Ukhozi FM Song of the Year has become more than a countdown — it is a national ritual that sets the emotional tone for the year ahead.
A Cultural Moment That Continues to Evolve
As the South African music landscape continues to shift, Ukhozi FM’s Song of the Year remains a powerful snapshot of the nation’s collective musical heartbeat. The new voting process, the rise of emerging genres, and the passionate debates online all show that the tradition is still very much alive — and evolving.
With voting officially underway, the race is on. Whether the title will go to a fan favourite, a viral smash, or an unexpected underdog remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the song crowned on New Year’s Eve will echo across households, streets and celebrations as the country welcomes 2026.
