The Basadi in Music Awards is marking its fifth anniversary with a first-of-its-kind hosting reunion that will see every woman who has hosted the prestigious event return to the same stage.
Under the 2026 theme, “REWIND: The Rise,” the awards will bring together Anele Zondo, Moozlie, Unathi and Lerato Kganyago as co-hosts, celebrating the journey of one of Africa’s leading platforms dedicated to recognising women in music.
Rather than introducing a completely new chapter, this year’s edition will revisit the milestones, memorable performances, winners and defining moments that have shaped the awards since their launch in 2022.
Each host represents a different era of the Basadi in Music Awards. Anele Zondo and Moozlie fronted the inaugural ceremony in 2022, introducing a platform created to celebrate the achievements of women in the music industry. Unathi hosted the 2023 and 2024 editions, while Lerato Kganyago took over the reins in 2025, the year the Basadi Vanguard Awards were also introduced.
For the first time, the four television personalities will stand side by side, not only as hosts but as storytellers reflecting on the evolution of the awards over the past five years.
The Basadi in Music Awards has adopted a unique theme each year, reflecting the growth of both the platform and the women it honours.
The inaugural 2022 ceremony debuted with the theme “Ballgowns and Tiaras,” celebrating the arrival of a new platform dedicated to recognising women in music. The following year, “Glam with a Touch of Africa” embraced African identity, culture and excellence.
In 2024, the theme “Girl in the Mirror” encouraged women to embrace authenticity and self-worth, while “The Four Elements of Nature” in 2025 celebrated women’s resilience through the symbolic forces of earth, water, fire and air.
This year’s “REWIND: The Rise” brings those themes together, honouring the legacy that has been built since the awards were established.
Basadi in Music Awards founder and CEO Hloni Modise-Matau said the reunion was a meaningful way to honour the platform’s journey.
“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.”
She added that each returning host represents an important chapter in the awards’ history and that bringing them together symbolises how far the platform has come.
“It 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.”
Legal partner Manaileng Maphike, director of Maphike Inc. Attorneys, described the reunion as a fitting tribute to the women who have helped shape the awards.
“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. Reuniting the hosts who have helped shape each chapter of the Basadi journey is a beautiful and meaningful way of honouring that legacy.”
Meanwhile, Dichaba Phalatse, Marketing Manager for SABC Video Entertainment, said the broadcaster was proud to continue supporting a platform that celebrates female excellence.
“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. The reunion of Anele Zondo, Moozlie, Unathi and Lerato Kganyago is a powerful tribute to that journey.”
The 2026 Basadi in Music Awards will once again be held at the Joburg Theatre over two nights. The Vanguard Awards will take place on 7 August, followed by the Main Awards Ceremony on 8 August, bringing together the music industry to celebrate the achievements, impact and legacy of women in South African entertainment.
