Mzansi Song of the Year Contenders Dominate the Festive Season

Musicians from different genres in Mzansi put in relentless work this year to ensure their music resonated with fans. That effort paid off. A wave of recently released songs captured the hearts of listeners and kept South Africans dancing throughout the festive season.

One of the strongest Song of the Year contenders is Shela by Sam Deep, Nia Peal, Boohle and Mano. The track surged to the top of major streaming platforms including iTunes and Spotify, reaching number one in recent weeks. Its popularity has made it an undisputed favorite among music lovers nationwide.

Shela also entered the race on Ukhozi FM’s highly competitive New Year’s Eve Crossover Song selection, Ingoma Ehlukanisa Unyaka. The song featured on Metro FM’s Top 30 during the final weeks of November 2025. It further secured the number one spot on Radio Monitor South Africa on 5 December and followed that with a strong second-place finish on 12 December.

Another standout contender is On The Floor by Sir Trill and King P. The track dominated Metro FM’s Top 30, holding the number one position for several consecutive weeks. Its consistency on radio playlists reflects its strong reception across urban music audiences.

Ciza, featuring Jazzworx, added momentum to the competition with Isaka. The song continues to perform well on major SABC radio stations. It is competing for Ukhozi FM’s Ingoma Ehlukanisa Unyaka and Umhlobo Wenene FM’s Ingoma Yonyaka, placing it firmly among the year’s top releases.

Maskandi legends Umfakizolo also entered the race with Uyoncengwa Unyoko. The song is contesting on Ukhozi FM’s Ingoma Ehlukanisa Unyaka and Umhlobo Wenene FM’s Ingoma Yonyaka. It has remained in the top 10 on Spotify and iTunes since August 2025. Its chances are boosted by the strong loyalty of maskandi fans during public voting periods.

MaWhoo, alongside GL-Ceejay, Thukuthela and Jazzworx, delivered Bengicela, another powerful contender. The song continues to rank in the top 10 on iTunes and Spotify while competing on Ukhozi FM’s Ingoma Ehlukanisa Unyaka.

DJ Tira, Pcee and Campmasters, featuring General C’Mamane, joined the contest with Awungazi. The track is also competing on Ukhozi FM’s Ingoma Ehlukanisa Unyaka and remains a popular choice among dance music fans.

With multiple genres represented and strong performances across radio and streaming platforms, the Song of the Year race reflects the depth, diversity and influence of South African music in 2025.