Munghana Lonene FM has officially launched the 21st edition of the Xitsonga Music Awards (XMAs), setting the stage for one of the biggest celebrations of Xitsonga music and culture. The SABC’s Xitsonga radio station launched the 2026 Xitsonga Music Awards at the SABC’s M1 Studios in Auckland Park, Johannesburg, on Friday, 18 September.
The launch brought together artists, partners, stakeholders, clients and advertisers as Munghana Lonene FM officially kicked off this year’s awards season and revealed the artists competing across the different categories. Public voting lines were also officially opened.
Munghana Lonene FM is once again working with the Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation and Bushbuckridge Local Municipality for this year’s awards.
DJ Matt and Khensani Nyango lead XMA 2026 launch
Munghana Lonene FM presenters DJ Matt, host of the station’s afternoon drive show Khoma Ndlela, and host of midmorning show Swa Risima, Khensani Nyango hosted the nominees announcement.
Two generations of the Shirimani family also took to the stage, with Xitsonga music legend Dr Joe Shirimani performing alongside his daughter and rising artist Ntsako Shirimani. Fellow nominee N’wa Khambani also performed during the launch. Both Ntsako and N’wa Khambani are nominated for Best Xitsonga Newcomer of the Year 2026, with N’wa Khambani appearing across several other categories, including Best Xitsonga Female Artist, Best Xitsonga House Song and Best Xitsonga Collaboration.
This year’s awards carry the theme “Hi Vandlamula Bya Rihati”, translated as “We Strike Like Thunder”.
According to Munghana Lonene FM, the theme marks 21 years of the XMAs and celebrates “musical excellence, cultural pride and the enduring power of Xitsonga music.”
Xitsonga Music Awards 2026 nominees announced
N’wa Khambani and Khanyie are among the artists leading this year’s nominations, with six credited appearances each across the announced categories. N’wa Khambani is nominated for Best Xitsonga Newcomer and Best Xitsonga Female Artist, while her songs Tiyisela and Bya Mitsanda na feature across the house, collaboration, Xigaza xa ma 2K and Most Popular Song categories. Khanyie also features in the newcomer and female artist categories, with Yima Vaku Vona earning multiple nominations.
Here’s the full list of Xitsonga Music Awards 2026.
Best Xitsonga Newcomer Of the Year 2026
Malume Carlie
N’wa Khambani
Khanyie M
Tyler Mirgeson
Leon Ou
Tiago Dusty
Bloshy
Xikatarani
Ntsako Shirimani
Jonny Jay Mugs
Best Xitsonga Gospel Song Of The Year 2026
Manana Thwala- Yehova Wa Vuyisela
Leon Ou ft Mzansi Gospel Wave- Masingita Hi Wena
Mbhokota Pure Holy Boys- Rito
The Grace Band- Yeso U Na Hina
The Worshippers in Jesus Ministry- Mukutsuri
Praise Mattea- Deka Tafula
Francesca Rikhotso- Tiko Ra Xikwembu
Pastor Jeff Baloyi- Mahlomulo
Collen Maluleke- Hi Ta Humelela
Bongani Mkhatshwa- Swa Nandzika Ku Famba na Yeso
Best Xitsonga Disco Song Of The Year 2026
Hlamy C ft Themba Nyathi- N’wana Mariya
Celee Celee ft Hlavu Sikiza- Hi nge hambani
Dr Macheke- Ma Million
Papa Khwatsi- Yo Zenya
Hisa Wa Tiko- Ndzi Tlunyiwile
Teddy Mikwembu- Tilweni
King Gali- Vutomi Bya Mina
Majombani- Socha Ra Pewula
King Xikaveni- Timpondo Ta Mina
Best Xitsonga Afro Pop/ RsB song of the Year 2026
Miss Hillary- Humelela
Rooi-Rooi Rodgers Chauke- Tsakani
Brian Bomba- Rich Malume
Cool B ft Adorable- Yi Langhile
Afrotunez- Mamazala
Best Xitsonga Hip Hop Song of the Year
Dee en Kay- Ni Vuyele Voh
Canicee- Vutomi Bya Tolo
Flash Cortez- Ntshovelo
Nqabza the Boss ft Flash Cortez- Denda
Johnny Jay Mugz ft Canicee- Khanyisela
Best Xitsonga House Song Of The Year
Nvcely Sings ft TorQue, J John, Flash Cortez – Ka Bungeni
N’wa Khambani ft Phushkin RSA,Springle anand Mr Seven Keys- Tiyisela
Wayne and Tango- Pfuka
Afrikan Roots ft Vutomi- Mali
Fiesta Black- Tshika Loyi
Best Xitsonga Collaboration Of The Year
Hlamy C ft Themba Nyathi- N’wana Mariya
Celee Celee ft Hlavu Sikiza- Hi nge hambani
Nwa Khambani ft Papa rhulani- Bya Mitsanda na
Malume Carlie ft Dr Oumega, Mr Mashallah and WB Minyonyo- Hi leka xigangu xa meh
Metrobeatz ft DR Joe Shirimani- Ya Rila Gaza
DJ Sizer ft Tlakzeeto- Jiki Jiki (Beke le Beke)
Khanyie ft Akani Touch- Yima Vaku vona
Lekker Stylist ft Henny C, Khanyie, XamaCcombo- Huma ka mina (Mlakalaka)
Gab Wa Marimba ft Xamaccombo- Wo Tiyisela
Miss Hilary ft Murumba Pitch and Simefree- Tolovela
Best Duo/Group Of The Year
Oscar Makamu and Majuvani Sisters
The Grace band
Vanhu Va Mtakarow
The Worshippers in Jesus Ministry
Rainman Capalot & Gman
Best Xitsonga Female Artist Of The Year
Nwa Khambani
Xongi
Khanyie
Manana Thwala
Miss Hillary
Best Xitsonga Male Artist Of The Year 2026
Lekker Stylist
Ma Elly
Metrobeatz RSA
Rhuza De Pro
Brian Bomba
King Sarel Shirida
DJ Mfhundhisi
Gab Wa Marimba
Canicee
Gondiboy
Best Xitsonga Album/EP Of The Year 2026
U khanya mani?– DJ Mfundhisi
Mkhosi Wa Xivongo– Xongi
Yehovha wa Vuyisela– Manana Thwala
Va Swirhekile Vol.16– Oscar Makamu and Majuvani Sisters
Simefree Wayne and Tango – Xilondza Xa Mali
Best Xitsonga Traditional Song of the Year 2026
Ma Eli Zitha- Rirhandzu Ra Nketani
King Sarel and Sunglen- Munandzi
Xikatarani- Makhombo
Mshengu The Original- Mali ya Basisa
Oscar Makamu na Majuvan Sisters- Va Swirhekile
Best Xigaza xa ma 2K song of the Year 2026
Metrobeatz RSA ft Dr Joe Shirimani- Ya Rila Gaza
Nwa Khambani ft Papa Rhulani- Bya Mitsanda na
Khanyie ft Akani Touch– Yima Va ku vona
Ben10Wxxy ft Kulza Rsa- Tshembele Ka Wena
DJ Sizer ft Tlakzeeto- Jiki Jiki (Beke le Beke)
Tyler Mirgeson ft Nsekiey and Rocky- Dendende
Vanhu va Mtakarow- Rhula Moya
Emc Style SA ft Simefree- Misaveni
Simefree Wayne and Tango ft Decide SA and Blissbouy- Wa ni Jolela
Rainman Capalot & GMan- Mhana vana uye kwini
Xitsonga Most Popular song of the year
Malume Carlie ft Dr Oumega, Mr Mashallah and WB Minyonyo- Hi leka xigangu xa meh
Nwa Khambani ft Papa Rhulani- Bya Mitsandza na
Rainman Capalot & GMan- Mhana vana uye kwini
Lekker Stylist ft Henny C, Khanyie, XamaCcombo- Huma ka mina (Mlakalaka)
DJ Sizer- Jiki Jiki (Beke le Beke)
Metrobeatz RSA ft Dr Joe Shirimani- Ya Rila Gaza
Rhuza De Prod- Swi ta Ndzaku
Aynos ft Miss Hillary,Blackmyth and Em-One- Xigubu
Xongi- Xitori
Khanyie ft Akani Touch- Yima vaku vona
When and where are the Xitsonga Music Awards 2026?
The main 2026 Xitsonga Music Awards ceremony will take place on 19 December 2026 at Thulamahashe Stadium in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga.
Munghana Lonene FM expects at least 15,000 music lovers to attend the open-air awards ceremony and music festival.
The XMA weekend will begin with a gala dinner where special awards will be presented. The gathering will also bring together government officials, business leaders, traditional leaders, religious leaders and other stakeholders before the main awards event.
