Get Ready to Celebrate! Mzantsi Jazz Awards Unveils Exciting Nominees for 9th Annual Celebration!

The Mzantsi Jazz Awards (MJA) is thrilled to unveil the nominees for the 9th Mzantsi Jazz Awards (MJA), set to dazzle on Saturday, 30 August 2025, at the UJ ARTS & CULTURE UJ Kingsway Campus. The nominations were announced online last night, drawing an impressive crowd of media representatives, musicians, jazz enthusiasts, and business partners.

In 2024, some of the top musicians that were awarded include Tutu Puoane, Kujenga, Sun Quintet, Mlungisi Gegana, Bänz Oester & The Rainmakers, and Kofifi FM 97.2, amongst others.

The jazz awards will venerate, recognize, and celebrate the rich heritage and contribution of jazz music, jazz artists, radio stations supporting jazz, and jazz clubs/venues in our country and internationally.

The nominees for the 9th Mzantsi Jazz Awards are:

Best Jazz Song

This is a public vote category, and the winner will be decided by public vote. To vote, send a text message: ZaJazz Nominee code (e.g., BS?) to 40439.

(R2/SMS) 1 SMS = 1 Vote. FREE SMS DO NOT APPLY

• Nick Ford - The Wanderer (BS1)
• Thembi Dunjana - Indlela Ikhona (BS2)
• Marcus Pitie - Kosbare Siel (BS3)
• Fanie Dick - Success is not final (BS4)
• Ncesh Nonxishi - Poqo (BS5)
• Rorisang Sechele - African Orchid (BS6)
• Amine Dhouibi - The Resurrection (BS7)
• Mthobisi Mthalane - Isililo seSizwe (BS8)
• Lauren Manning - Seventeen (BS9)
• Bonginkosi Yeko - Chasing the Midnight Glow ft Bill Gibson (BS10)
• KG Moepyë - Mandingasuki (BS11)
• Salphina Kadiaka - Champaign (BS12)
• Phinda Matlala - Uweyo (BS13)

Best Jazz Album

This is a public vote category, and the winner will be decided by public vote. To vote, send a text message: ZaJazz Nominee code (e.g., BJ?) to 40439.

(R2/SMS) 1 SMS = 1 Vote. FREE SMS DO NOT APPLY

• Nick Ford - Terra Solus (BJ1)
• Thembi Dunjana - God Bless iKapa. God Bless Mzantsi (BJ2)
• Gabi Motuba - The Sabbath (BJ3)
• Rorisang Sechele - The Seed (BJ4)
• Adam Glasser - SA & Beyond (BJ5)
• Bonginkosi Yeko - Melody Argument (BJ6)
• Salphina Kadiaka - Champaign (BJ7)
• Sydney Mavundla - Dirge for Our Fathers (BJ8)

Best Radio Station Promoting Jazz

This is a public vote category, and the winner will be decided by public vote. To vote, send a text message: ZaJazz Nominee code (e.g., BR?) to 40439.

(R2/SMS) 1 SMS = 1 Vote. FREE SMS DO NOT APPLY

• Lesedi FM (BR1)
• Thobela FM (BR2)
• Umhlobo Wenene FM (BR3)
• Fine Music Radio 101.3 FM (BR4)
• Alex FM 89.1 (BR5)
• Phalaphala FM (BR6)

Best Traditional Jazz Album

This is a Jury category

• Adam Glasser - SA & Beyond
• Maxwell Baloyi - Healing Palms
• Phinda Matlala - 10 Years - A Decade
• Sydney Mavundla - Dirge for Our Fathers

Best Contemporary Jazz Album

This is a Jury category

• Thembi Dunjana - God Bless iKapa. God Bless Mzantsi.
• Rorisang Sechele - The Seed
• Lucas Senyatso - Africa
• Ncesh Nonxishi - Apho Kungenje
• Melanie Scholtz - Sweet Nancy
• Nick Ford - Terra Solus

Best Female Jazz Artist

This is a Jury category

• Thembi Dunjana
• Gabi Motuba
• Rorisang Sechele
• Ncesh Nonxishi
• Lauren Manning
• Melanie Scholtz

Best Male Jazz Artist

This is a Jury category

• Nick Ford
• Fanie Dick
• Bonginkosi Yeko
• Sydney Mavundla
• Adam Glasser

Best Newcomer in Jazz

This is a Jury category

• Nick Ford - Terra Solus
• Rorisang Sechele - The Seed
• Ncesh Nonxishi - Apho Kungenje
• Lauren Manning - Four Walls

Best International Jazz Collaboration Album or Song

This is a Jury category

• Bonginkosi Yeko - Chasing the Midnight Glow
• Pilani Bubu - Nay'Indaba
• Melanie Scholtz - Sweet Nan

For interviews, any questions and/or press inquiries may be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Douglas on +27 12 751 7608

Issued by Mzantsi Jazz Awards Company