{"id":25278,"date":"2026-03-14T13:25:21","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T11:25:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/?p=25278"},"modified":"2026-03-14T13:25:23","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T11:25:23","slug":"zee-nxumalo-and-mawhoo-shine-bright-as-front-runners-in-2026-metro-fm-music-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/zee-nxumalo-and-mawhoo-shine-bright-as-front-runners-in-2026-metro-fm-music-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"Zee Nxumalo and MaWhoo Shine Bright as Front Runners in 2026 Metro FM Music Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The nominees for the Metro FM Music Awards were unveiled in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, uniting artists, government representatives, sponsors, and media to commemorate the occasion.<\/p>\n

Smash Afrika and Lamiez Holworthy had the role of hosting the event. Following speeches from key stakeholders that extended longer than some anticipated, the nominees were announced.<\/p>\n

Popular artists Zee Nxumalo and MaWhoo took the stage, energizing the audience with their performances.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The 2026 Metro FM Music Awards are set to take place in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on April 26.<\/p>\n

Zee Nxumalo leads the nominations alongside music producer Sam Deep, each receiving seven nods.<\/p>\n

Nxumalo discussed her mixed feelings about the nominations with IOL, expressing gratitude for the recognition but also reflecting on past disappointments associated with awards.<\/p>\n

MaWhoo garnered five nominations for her successful collaborations with Jazzworx and Thukuthela, expressing her gratitude for the acknowledgment and encouraging further partnerships.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cCompetition is all over, don\u2019t hate a person because people are comparing. Just work. We are all talented, no one can replace you, just know that you have your own shine, I have my own shine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ciza has transitioned from a newcomer to an established artist. The “Isaka” creator first made his mark at the Metro FM Music Awards in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, where he also performed at the after-party. He now celebrates five nominations. \u201cA year later and five nominations because of you (supporters) and God,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n

Mma26 Nominees<\/p>\n

Best Gospel Album<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Xolly Mncwango – “Unusual Live \/ Deluxe”<\/li>\n
  • Nontokozo Mkhize – “The Live Experience”<\/li>\n
  • Musa Yende – “Sustained By Grace”<\/li>\n
  • Mmatema – “Heart Of Gratitude”<\/li>\n
  • Nothando Hlophe – “A New Dawn”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Best Jazz Album<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Mandisi Dyantyis \u2013 “Intlambululo: Ukuhlambulula”<\/li>\n
    • Judith Sephuma \u2013 “When The Winter Fades”<\/li>\n
    • Andile Yenana – “Way Out Is In”<\/li>\n
    • Benjamin Jeptha \u2013 “Homecoming Revisted”<\/li>\n
    • Siphamandla \u2018Paras\u2019 Dlamini \u2013 “Ingoma Busuku”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Best Produced Album<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Jazzworx & Thukujthela – “Most Wanted”<\/li>\n
      • Kabza De Small – “Bab Motha”<\/li>\n
      • Sam Deep – “Kings Of Kwapi”<\/li>\n
      • Kelvin Momo – “Thato Ya Modimo”<\/li>\n
      • Lwah Ndlunkulu \u2013 “Amaciko”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Best Collaboration<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • Sam Deep, Nia Pearl and Boohle \u2013 “Shela”<\/li>\n
        • Jazzworx, Mawhoo & Thukuthela – “Uzizwa Kanjani”<\/li>\n
        • Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nduduzo Makhathini and Mbuso Khoza – “You Make Me Happy”<\/li>\n
        • Mawhoo Ft Jazzworx & Thukuthela \u2013 “Bengicela”<\/li>\n
        • Goon Flavour, Master Kg and Eemoh \u2013 “Ngishutheni”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Song Of The Year<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          • Sam Deep, Nia Pearl and Boohle \u2013 “Shela”<\/li>\n
          • Dj Smallz \u2013 “Zep”<\/li>\n
          • Dj Maphorisa – “Abantwana Bakho”<\/li>\n
          • Mawhoo \u2013 “Bengicela”<\/li>\n
          • Khadeir \u2013 “Magumba”<\/li>\n
          • Jazzworx, Thukuthela and Mawhoo – “Uzizwa Kanjani”<\/li>\n
          • Shandesh – “Sdudla Or Slender”<\/li>\n
          • Goon Flavour and Master Kg \u2013 “Ngishutheni”<\/li>\n
          • Umafikizolo \u2013 “Uzoncengwa Unyoko”<\/li>\n
          • Ciza \u2013 “Isaka”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Best Viral Challenge<\/strong><\/p>\n

              \n
            • Dj Smallz \u2013”Zep”<\/li>\n
            • Mluucisian \u2013 “Malacosta”<\/li>\n
            • Goon Flavour \u2013 “Ngishutheni”<\/li>\n
            • Shandesh – “Sdudla Or Slender”<\/li>\n
            • Umafikizolo – “Uyoncengwa Unyoko”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Best Female<\/strong><\/p>\n

                \n
              • Mawhoo<\/li>\n
              • Lordkez<\/li>\n
              • Zee Nxumalo<\/li>\n
              • Shandesh<\/li>\n
              • Lwa Ndlunkulu<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Artist Of The Year<\/strong><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Jazzworld and Thukuthela – “Uzizwa Kanjani”<\/li>\n
                • Sam Deep \u2013 “Shela”<\/li>\n
                • Ciza \u2013 “Isaka”<\/li>\n
                • Shandesh – “Sdudla or Slender”<\/li>\n
                • Zee Nxumalo \u2013 “Mamma”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Best Styled<\/strong><\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • Musa Keys<\/li>\n
                  • Dali Wonga<\/li>\n
                  • K.O<\/li>\n
                  • Vusi Nova<\/li>\n
                  • Zee Nxumalo<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    Best Duo \/ Group<\/strong><\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • Thukuthela & Jazzworx – Uzizwa Kanjani<\/li>\n
                    • Dladla Mshunqisi and Beast Rsa – “Puku Puku”<\/li>\n
                    • Big Zulu Ft Emtee – “Abazazi Bafunani”<\/li>\n
                    • Ladysmith Black Mambazo – “You Make Me Happy”<\/li>\n
                    • Goon Flavour, Master Kg and Eemoh \u2013 “Ngishutheni”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Best R&B Song<\/strong><\/p>\n

                        \n
                      • Lordkez – “Aweh”<\/li>\n
                      • Manana – “Little Things”<\/li>\n
                      • Naledi Aphiwe – “Come Duze”<\/li>\n
                      • Lloyiso – “High\/Higher”<\/li>\n
                      • Langa Mavuso \u2013 “Dangerous”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        Best Maskandi<\/strong><\/p>\n

                          \n
                        • Umafikizolo – “Uzoncengwa Unyoko”<\/li>\n
                        • Simonofu – “Sajola Kamnandi”<\/li>\n
                        • Mzukulu – “Ubu Ghost Bami”<\/li>\n
                        • Khuzani – “Umanikinikana”<\/li>\n
                        • Siya Ntuli – “Amaphiko”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          Best Male<\/strong><\/p>\n

                            \n
                          • Sam Deep<\/li>\n
                          • Ciza<\/li>\n
                          • Kabza De Smal<\/li>\n
                          • Kelvin Momo<\/li>\n
                          • Maphorisa<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                            Best Hip Hop<\/strong><\/p>\n

                              \n
                            • Stogie T – “Four Horseman”<\/li>\n
                            • Yanga Chief – “What If”<\/li>\n
                            • Big Zulu – “Abazazi Bafunani”<\/li>\n
                            • Makwa Ft Kwesta – “Umguzumbane We Summer”<\/li>\n
                            • K.O – “Supa Nova”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                              Best Dance<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                \n
                              • Mawhoo \u2013 “Bengicela”<\/li>\n
                              • Khadier \u2013 “Magumba”<\/li>\n
                              • Ciza \u2013 “Isaka”<\/li>\n
                              • Jazzworx, Thukuthela and Babalwa M \u2013 “Uvalo”<\/li>\n
                              • Jazzworx, Thukuthela and Mawhoo – “Uzizwa Kanjani”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                Best Music Video<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                  \n
                                • Zee Nxumalo \u2013 “Mamma”<\/li>\n
                                • Ladysmith Black Mambazo – “You Make Me Happy”<\/li>\n
                                • Lordkez \u2013 “Aweh”<\/li>\n
                                • Sam Deep \u2013 “Shela”<\/li>\n
                                • Ciza \u2013 “Isaka”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                  Best Lekompo<\/p>\n

                                    \n
                                  • Janesh \u2013 Ngwanaka<\/li>\n
                                  • Kharishma – “Wa Inama”<\/li>\n
                                  • Shandesh – “Sdudla Or Slender”<\/li>\n
                                  • Shebeshxt – “Rato Laka”<\/li>\n
                                  • Mvzzle – “Leskandi 2.0”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                    Best Amapiano<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                      \n
                                    • Sam Deep \u2013 “Shela”<\/li>\n
                                    • Dj Maphorisa – “Abantwana Bakho”<\/li>\n
                                    • Dj Maphorisa – “Dlala Ka Yona”<\/li>\n
                                    • Dj Jaivane \u2013 “Lutho”<\/li>\n
                                    • Kabza De Small – “Ngiyozama”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                      Best Kwaito \/ Gqom<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                        \n
                                      • Dladla Mshunqisi and Beast Rsa – “Puku Puku”<\/li>\n
                                      • Dj Lag \u2013 “Ngyasindelwa”<\/li>\n
                                      • Dj Tira \u2013 “Awungazi”<\/li>\n
                                      • Kamo Mphela \u2013 “Partii”<\/li>\n
                                      • Bello B \u2013 “Dubai”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                        Best Jazz Album<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                          \n
                                        • Mandisi Dyantyis \u2013 :”Amyoli”<\/li>\n
                                        • Judith Sephuma – “Back 2 Love”<\/li>\n
                                        • Andile Yenana – “Way Out Is In”<\/li>\n
                                        • Benjamin Jeptha – “The Blessings”<\/li>\n
                                        • Paras Sibalikhulu Dlamini \u2013 “Isiwelele”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                          Best African Pop<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                            \n
                                          • Lwah Ndlunkulu \u2013 “Amaciko”<\/li>\n
                                          • Ladysmith Black Mambazo – “You Make Me Happy”<\/li>\n
                                          • Naledi Aphiwe – “Waiting For You”<\/li>\n
                                          • Mawelele – “Buya Ekhaya”<\/li>\n
                                          • Samthing Soweto \u2013 “Deda”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                            Best New Artist<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                              \n
                                            • Shandesh<\/li>\n
                                            • Khadeir<\/li>\n
                                            • Kharishma<\/li>\n
                                            • Goon Flavour<\/li>\n
                                            • Nkeshemba<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                              <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n