BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE- Eswatini’s female stars are flying the national flag high after earning multiple nominations at the prestigious Basadi Awards.
Eswatini’s entertainment industry has every reason to celebrate after four outstanding EmaSwati women secured nominations for this year’s Basadi in Music Awards (BIMAs), cementing the country’s growing influence on one of Africa’s biggest platforms dedicated to celebrating women in music and entertainment.
Leading the charge is internationally acclaimed DJ and producer Uncle Waffles (Lungelihle Zwane), who received four nominations in the Artist of the Year, Dance Music Artist of the Year, DJ of the Year, and Best Styled Artist of the Year categories.
Award-winning gospel singer Nothando Hlophe is nominated for Gospel Artist of the Year and Song of the Year, while fast-rising vocalist Zee Nxumalo has secured nominations for Artist of the Year, Collaboration of the Year (with MaWhoo), Song of the Year, and Best Styled Artist of the Year.
Businesswoman, actress, singer and celebrated make-up artist Zamo Dlamini has also been recognised with a nomination for Make-up Artist of the Year, highlighting her contribution to the entertainment and beauty industries.
The fifth annual Basadi in Music Awards will be held on 7 and 8 August 2026 at the Mandela Theatre, Joburg Theatre in Johannesburg under the theme “REWIND”, celebrating five years of honouring women in the music industry. The Vanguard Awards will be hosted on 7 August, followed by the main awards ceremony on 8 August. Tickets for the Vanguard Awards cost R300, while tickets for the main awards range from R650 to R1,000 and are available through the official Basadi in Music Awards website.
Adding to Eswatini’s proud representation is Creative Arts Project Developer Penny Bouwer, who also serves on the Basadi in Music Awards Board. Her appointment reflects the awards’ commitment to regional inclusion and strengthening the participation of women from across Southern Africa…’Bouwer, who also serves on the Basadi in Music Awards Board. Her appointment reflects the awards’ commitment to regional inclusion and strengthening the participation of women from across Southern Africa.
Bouwer said the increasing number of EmaSwati nominees demonstrates the depth of female talent in Eswatini and expressed hope that even more local artists and music industry professionals will submit entries for next year’s awards.
“This year’s nominations are encouraging for Eswatini’s creative industry. We hope to see even more Swazi women represented in future editions as the country’s music and entertainment sectors continue to grow and gain recognition across Africa,” she said.
This year’s awards feature some of Africa’s biggest female stars, including Makhadzi, DJ Zinhle, Tyla, Nomcebo Zikode, Nadia Nakai, Kelly Khumalo, Shekhinah and Lwah Ndlunkulu, underlining the high calibre of artists competing for the coveted honours.
With public voting closing today (18 July ,2026), EmaSwati are encouraged to support the country’s nominees by casting their votes at www.basadimusicawards.co.za/vote/.
Every vote will help boost Eswatini’s chances of bringing home accolades from one of Africa’s most prestigious celebrations of women in entertainment.
Launched in 2022 by South African entertainment entrepreneur Hloni Modise-Matau, the Basadi in Music Awards were created to celebrate and honour women making outstanding contributions both on stage and behind the scenes. The awards recognise singers, DJs, producers, composers, songwriters, presenters, journalists, stylists, make-up artists and other industry professionals. Named after the Sesotho word “Basadi”, meaning “women”, the awards have become a powerful platform promoting female excellence, gender equality and the visibility of women in the African music industry.
(Courtesy Pics)
