Jazz Royalty Assembled: Mzantsi Jazz Awards Announces 9th Annual Nominees
The Mzantsi Jazz is thrilled to unveil the winners for the 9th Mzantsi Jazz Awards which will be on the 30th of August 2025 at 4pm at the Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre at the University of Johannesburg, Kingsway Campus. The nominations were announced online on the 20th of June, drawing an impressive crowd of media representatives, musicians, jazz enthusiasts, and business partners.
In 2024, some of the top musicians that were awarded include Tutu Puoane, Kujenga, Sun Quintet.
The jazz awards will venerate, recognize, and celebrate the rich heritage and contribution of jazz music, jazz artists, radio stations supporting jazz, and jazz clubs/venues in our country and internationally.
Some nominees will be winning as a result of a vote. These nominees are the following and the nominees are encouraged to vote for their favorite artist and come and celebrate jazz with us.
*Best Jazz Song*
This is a public vote category, and the winner will be decided by public vote. To vote, send a text message: ZaJazz Nominee code (e.g., BS?) to 40439.
(R2/SMS) 1 SMS = 1 Vote. FREE SMS DO NOT APPLY
- Nick Ford – The Wanderer (BS1)
- Thembi Dunjana – Indlela Ikhona (BS2)
- Marcus Pitie – Kosbare Siel (BS3)
- Fanie Dick – Success is not final (BS4)
- Ncesh Nonxishi – Poqo (BS5)
- Rorisang Sechele – African Orchid (BS6)
- Amine Dhouibi – The Resurrection (BS7)
- Mthobisi Mthalane – Isililo seSizwe (BS8)
- Lauren Manning – Seventeen (BS9)
- Bonginkosi Yeko – Chasing the Midnight Glow ft Bill Gibson (BS10)
- KG Moepyë – Mandingasuki (BS11)
- Salphina Kadiaka – Champaign (BS12)
- Phinda Matlala – Uweyo (BS13)
*Best Jazz Album*
This is a public vote category, and the winner will be decided by public vote. To vote, send a text message: ZaJazz Nominee code (e.g., BJ?) to 40439.
(R2/SMS) 1 SMS = 1 Vote. FREE SMS DO NOT APPLY
- Nick Ford – Terra Solus (BJ1)
- Thembi Dunjana – God Bless iKapa. God Bless Mzantsi (BJ2)
- Gabi Motuba – The Sabbath (BJ3)
- Rorisang Sechele – The Seed (BJ4)
- Adam Glasser – SA & Beyond (BJ5)
- Bonginkosi Yeko – Melody Argument (BJ6)
- Salphina Kadiaka – Champaign (BJ7)
- Sydney Mavundla – Dirge for Our Fathers (BJ8)
*Best Radio Station Promoting Jazz*
This is a public vote category, and the winner will be decided by public vote. To vote, send a text message: ZaJazz Nominee code (e.g., BR?) to 40439.
(R2/SMS) 1 SMS = 1 Vote. FREE SMS DO NOT APPLY
- Lesedi FM (BR1)
- Thobela FM (BR2)
- Umhlobo Wenene FM (BR3)
- Fine Music Radio 101.3 FM (BR4)
- Alex FM 89.1 (BR5)
- Phalaphala FM (BR6)
For a full list of all the nominees, please visit www.zajazzawards.co.za or on our socials @ZaJazzAwards all platforms.
We will also be honoring the music of the legendary Bra Themba Mkhize for his Lifetime contribution to the music of South Africa as well as Dr. Jonathan Butler who has also contributed to the recognition and the awareness and keeping the light of our music in South Africa abroad alive for the last 63 years.
So, it is going to be a very table celebration of music bringing together the young and old. Come and celebrate Jazz with us at the Mzantsi Jazz Awards.
Tickets are now available.
For more information and media inquiries:
+27 12 751 7608 ✉️ communications@zajazzawards.co.za