Xitsonga music history was made tonight as producer and artist Rhuza de Prod walked away with the Most Popular Song of the Year award for his hit track Ntiyiso wa Vutomi at the 20th Annual Munghana Lonene FM Xitsonga Music Awards (XMA 20). Rhuza de Prod was also crowned Best Xitsonga Producer.
The milestone event marked 20 years of celebrating excellence in Xitsonga music and, for the first time, the prestigious awards were hosted in Mpumalanga in partnership with Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. The ceremony took place at Thulamahashe Stadium on Saturday, 20 December 2025, under the theme “20 – Matimba ya Vunanga”.
The event was hosted by the station’s Khoma Ndlela afternoon drive presenter DJ Matt, alongside Swa Risima mid-morning show host Khensani Nyango. Winners were interviewed off-stage by Ms Kulie, the producer of Swa Risima, as the ceremony unfolded.
Xitsonga gospel group The Grace Band was among the biggest winners of the night, taking home Best Xitsonga Gospel Song of the Year (Empfuxelelweni) for Yeso U Yima Na Hina, Best Xitsonga Duo or Group of the Year, and the Dr Thomas Chauke Artist of the Year award. The Dr Thomas Chauke award was presented by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, alongside the legendary Dr Thomas Chauke.
DJ Naughty SA bagged two awards, winning Best Xitsonga House Song of the Year for Mali, featuring Big Ropza and Taylor Gal, and also taking home the Best Xitsonga Newcomer award.
The winners full list
Best Xitsonga Newcomer of The Year
BlissBouy
Cinna Mpaka
Rhuza de Prod
Licry
Mantsakosi
DJ Naughty SA (Winner)
Best Xitsonga Gospel Song (EMPFUXELELWENI) of The Year
Zanele Mashabane- Ndzi Happy
The Grace Band-Yeso U Yima Na Hina (Winner)
Mahungu-Ndzi lo tsetseleriwa
Worship House- Xikwembu Xa Masingita
The Living Rock Choir- Munghana Wamina
Best Xitsonga Gospel Song (PRAISE AND WORSHIP) of The Year
Bongani Mkhatshwa- Nsovo (Winner)
Ma Bongi- Hi Wena Ntsena
Worship House-Khanimambo
Andy Masiya ft Gospel Silinda- Lunghisa Timhaka Ta Wena
Themba Nyathi ft Gospel Silinda and Hisa Wa Tiko- Famba na hina
Best Xitsonga Disco Song of The Year
DR Macheke- Ngholovhani (Winner)
King Soshangani- Vutlhari
Hisa Wa Tiko- Ndzi Hlawule yena
Teddy Mikwembu-Xilambhana
Celee celee ft Hlavu Sikiza- Munhu wa Mina
Best Xitsonga Afro Pop/ R&B Song of The Year
Clive S- Kurhula emoyeni
Volcano ft Clein Boy and Malume J- Swiyimo (Winner)
Rito Gustavo- A kuri mina
The Daniel Brothers-Tinkingha
Hlamy C- Ndza Pfumela
Best Xitsonga Hip Hop Song of The Year
Faith K- Ndzilo
Dee en Kay ft Mr Still I Stand- Eswitandini (Winner)
Mthimbani ft Mantsakosi-Gondzo
Dee Michaels-Mananga
Mrhiza de Rapper ft Zyle- N’wana Mchangani
Best Xitsonga House Song of The Year
Henny C ft Queen Thee Vocalist and Sdala B- Teka Teka
DJ Naughty SA ft Big Ropza and Taylor Gal- Mali (Winner)
DJ PASCA-Hi tsaka (n’wana mhani)
Dee Roka ft DR Joe Shirimani- Notsi Remake
Musa Keys ft Gaza Boys- Vafana Va Mali
Best Xitsonga Collaboration of The Year
DJ Number ft Sunglen- Hayi khona
Blackmyth ft Blissbouy and Una Rams –Shayla
Dcrazer ft Simefree- Ni Hava Munhu Joni
Lekker Stylist ft J John The Big Baby and Salani The Producer – Nkombela I Chuza
Blissbouy ft Life Enhle- Tshunela
Xamaccombo ft DJ Slikour- Marheyilani
King Sarel ft Tsumi Xindendefu- Swilo Swa Misava
Nqabza The Boss ft J John The Big Baby- Sunroof
Ben10wixxy ft Moose Musiq and Simefree- Ntombhi ya Mutsonga (Winner)
Metrobeatz RSA ft DJ Fumza- My Number one
Best Duo/Group of The Year
Oscar Makamu and Majuvani Sisters
Xindende na Tinqambhi
Chekers Maluleke and Makhanani sisters
Snombhelani Sisters
Worship House
The Living Rock Choir
The Grace Band (Winner)
Vanhu va Mtakarow
Best Xitsonga Female Artist of The Year
Xongi
Ntombhi ya N’wa Gaza
Cinna Mpaka (Winner)
Celee Celee
Faith K
Best Xitsonga Male Artist of The Year
Solly Makamu
Blissbouy
J John The Big Baby
Mr Post
Mthimbani
DJ Mumba
Clive- S
Hisa wa Tiko
Metrobeatz RSA (Winner)
Xamaccombo
Best Xitsonga Album/EP of The Year
Xongi- Xivuya
Ntombhi ya Gaza- Mhana Mina (Winner)
Cinna Mpaka- Ni ta Humelela
Solly Makamu- Rirhandzu ra ti Movie
Blissbouy-Mfana ka Gaza
J John The Big Baby- Xitlhavi
Mr Post- Munhu U’nwe ntsena
DJ Mumba- Magoji Mambirhi
Tshami Boy- Ndzi Tlangela Mhani
Hisa wa Tiko- Ndzi Hlawule yena
Best Xitsonga Traditional Song of The Year
Mshengu The Original- Xa Magezi (Winner)
Oscar Makamu na Majuvani Sisters- Swinambunambu
Tshami Boy ft Tekani Shirinda- Ndzi tlangela mhani
King Sarel ft Ntsumi Xindendefu- Swilo Swa Misava
Checkers Maluleke- Vutomi bya swisiwana
Xitsonga Most Popular Song of The Year
Blissbouy ft Life Enhle- Tshunela
Xamaccombo ft DJ Slikour- Marheyilani
Blackmyth ft BlissBouy and Una Rams-Shayla
Metrsobeatz RSA ft DJ Fumza- My Number One
Dcrazer ft Simefree- Ni Hava Munhu Joni
Lekker Stylist ft J John The Big Baby and Salani The Producer – Nkombela I Chuza
Solly Makamu- Rirhandzu Ra Ti Movie
Musa keys ft Gaza Boys- Vafana Va Mali
Rhuza de Prod- Ntiyiso wa Vutomi (Winner)
DJ Mumba-Magoji Mambirhi
Mr Post-Munhu U’nwe ntsena
Hisa Wa Tiko- Ndzi Hlawule yena
J John The Big Baby- Dzunga nenge
Nqabza ft J John The Big Baby-Sunroof
Ben10wixxy ft Moose Musiq and Simefree- Ntombhi ya Mutsonga
Best Xitsonga Producer (Most Popular Song Producer)
Rhuza de Prod
Dr Thomas Chauke Artist of the Year
The Grace Band
