JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – As the Basadi in Music Awards celebrates its landmark fifth anniversary, the platform is set to make history with a hosting concept unlike anything previously seen on the African awards landscape.
Under this year’s theme, ‘REWIND: The Rise,’ the 2026 Basadi in Music Awards will reunite the extraordinary women who have hosted the awards since its inception. For the first time in the event’s history, Anele Zondo, Moozlie. Unathi and Lerato Kganyago come together in a historic host reunion to tell the story of Basadi through the voices that have guided its remarkable journey over the past five years.
Since its inception, every edition of the Basadi in Music Awards has carried a unique theme that reflected the growth of the platform and the women it celebrates. The journey began in 2022 with ‘Ballgowns and Tiaras,’ a glamorous debut that announced a bold new era dedicated to honouring women in music.
In 2023, ‘Glam with a Touch of Africa’ celebrated the richness, beauty and diversity of African excellence, embracing the continent’s unique identity and cultural pride.
The 2024 edition invited women to embrace their authentic selves through ‘Girl in the Mirror,’ a powerful reminder that true greatness begins with recognising your own worth and reflection.
In 2025: ‘The Four Elements of Nature’ celebrated the strength, resilience and transformative power of women through the forces of earth, water, fire and air.
Now, in 2026, the Basadi in Music Awards comes full circle with ‘REWIND: The Rise.’
Rather than introducing a new chapter, this year’s celebration honours every chapter that came before it. It revisits the moments, the milestones, the women and the memories that have built the Basadi in Music Awards into one of Africa’s most respected platforms celebrating women in music.Every host has carried the voice of a different Basadi chapter. In 2026, those voices come together to tell one extraordinary story.
Returning to the Basadi stage are: Anele Zondo and Moozlie, who co-hosted the inaugural Basadi in Music Awards in 2022, introducing audiences to a bold new platform dedicated to celebrating women in music and laying the foundation for the journey that continues today. Unathi captivated audiences with her warmth and commanding presence as host in 2023 and 2024. Lerato Kganyago’s elegance and charisma defined the 2025 celebration, while ushering in the inaugural Basadi in Music Awards Vanguard Awards. Together, these remarkable women represent every chapter of the Basadi in Music Awards story.
For the first time in the awards’ history, they will stand together on one stage, not simply as hosts, but as storytellers guiding audiences through her Story, revisiting the defining themes, unforgettable performances, milestone moments, nominees, winners and partnerships that have shaped the Basadi in Music Awards into one of Africa’s leading celebrations of women in music and entertainment.
This is more than a five-year milestone.
This is more than a reunion.
It is a celebration of legacy.
It is the story of Basadi told by the women who helped bring it to life.
Hloni Modise-Matau, CEO and Founder of the Basadi in Music Awards, said:
“When we started the Basadi in Music Awards five years ago, we were building more than an awards ceremony, we were building a legacy. Every year has had its own heartbeat, its own message and its own unforgettable moments. This year, we wanted to honour that journey in a way that has never been done before. Instead of telling our story through archive footage alone, we chose to tell it through the remarkable women who have stood on our stage and helped shape the Basadi experience. Anele Zondo, Moozlie, Unathi and Lerato Kganyago are more than returning hosts; they each represent a chapter in our history. Together, they remind us of where we’ve been, how far we’ve come and the future we’re building for women across Africa. ‘REWIND: The Rise’ is our love letter to every nominee, every winner, every partner, every supporter and every woman who has believed in this movement. As we celebrate five years of Basadi, we are not simply looking back, we are celebrating the rise of a platform that continues to honour, uplift and create opportunities for women in music and entertainment. To our knowledge, this is the first time an awards platform has reunited its former hosts to become the storytellers of its own journey, and we couldn’t imagine a more fitting way to celebrate this milestone.”
Manaileng Maphike, Director of Maphike Inc. Attorneys and Legal Partner of the Basadi in Music Awards, said:
“As a proud partner of the Basadi in Music Awards, it has been inspiring to witness the platform grow into one of Africa’s most respected celebrations of women in music and entertainment. This year’s theme, ‘REWIND: The Rise,’ is a powerful reminder that every milestone is built on the courage, resilience and excellence of the women who came before us. Reuniting the hosts who have helped shape each chapter of the Basadi journey is a beautiful and meaningful way of honouring that legacy. It demonstrates that the Basadi in Music Awards is not simply celebrating a fifth anniversary, it is preserving its history while inspiring future generations of women to dream bigger, lead boldly and leave a lasting impact. We are honoured to continue walking this journey alongside a platform that is intentionally creating opportunities, celebrating excellence and building a legacy that will endure for years to come.”
Dichaba Phalatse, Marketing Manager: SABC Video Entertainment, said:
“As the Basadi in Music Awards celebrates five years of recognising and elevating women in music, SABC 2 is proud to celebrate this milestone as one of the platform’s early broadcast partners. We have had the privilege of witnessing Basadi grow into one of South Africa’s premier celebrations of female excellence in music and entertainment. This year’s reunion of Anele Zondo, Moozlie, Unathi and Lerato Kganyago is a powerful tribute to that journey. Together, they represent the evolution of South African storytelling, bringing together fresh voices, enduring icons and celebrated media personalities whose influence continues to inspire audiences across generations. As The Heart of the Nation, Beating for Today,’ SABC 2 is honoured to continue championing platforms like the Basadi in Music Awards that celebrate our stories, our culture and the remarkable women shaping South Africa’s creative future.”
The Basadi in Music Awards returns to the Joburg Theatre for a spectacular two-night celebration:
- August 7, 2026 – Basadi in Music Awards Vanguard Awards
- August 8, 2026 – Basadi in Music Awards Main Awards Ceremony
Tickets are available now at www.joburgtheatre.com
Five years ago, a stage was built to celebrate women. Today, that stage remembers every voice, every victory, every milestone and every woman who made the journey possible.
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