The 2025 Basadi in Music Awards dazzled Johannesburg this weekend in a riot of couture, charisma, and cultural homage — a reminder that when women in entertainment gather to honour one another, the room shifts. Hosted at the iconic Joburg Theatre, the opening night — the Vanguard Awards — set a new benchmark for what celebration looks like when glam meets grit.
Draped in this year’s theme, “Symphony of Harmony: The Four Elements of Nature,” the guest list read like a who’s who of South African entertainment’s feminine backbone. Think earthy velvets, oceanic satins, airy tulles, and fiery sequins—each ensemble a deliberate nod to the power women bring to every stage, boardroom, and studio in the creative economy. The fashion was not incidental; it was narrative. Women showed up not merely dressed but styled in testimony.
Beyond the Spotlight: Honouring the Pillars of the Industry
True to its ethos, Basadi didn’t just applaud performers — it recalibrated what power looks like in the music ecosystem. The Vanguard Awards honoured those often overlooked yet indispensable: the managers, stylists, producers, and media women who keep the industry’s engine purring.
Portia Mngomezulu, the formidable force behind Portia M Skin Solutions, was awarded Mosadi in Business, a recognition presented by Brand South Africa. Her climb—from repurposing her mother-in-law’s marula remedy to building a retail empire stocked across Clicks, Pick n Pay, Game, and Shoprite—is a case study in African innovation and feminine resilience.
Bongi Mlotshwa, revered as “Sis Bongi” in industry circles, took home Trailblazer of the Year. As the first Black makeup artist to break into prime-time productions like Idols SA and SuperSport, her three-decade career spans from Generationsto Uzalo and The River. But her real legacy lies in mentorship—her Plan B Beauty Team uplifts artists from under-resourced backgrounds, injecting equity into the glam sector.
Other honourees included:
- Tholsi Pillay – Artist Manager of the Year
- Nomsa Madida – Makeup Artist of the Year
- Tumelo MJ Afrobotique – Hairstylist of the Year
- Mapule Pule – Entertainment Journalist of the Year
- Tlhogi Molefi – Choreographer of the Year
- Zanele Potelwa – Entertainment TV Presenter of the Year
- Laconco – Podcast Presenter of the Year
- Lootlove – Entertainment Radio Presenter of the Year
- Relebogile Mabotja – Entertainment TV Producer of the Year
- Noni Khumalo – Entertainment Radio Producer of the Year
Musically, the show matched its awards with edge and elegance. Moneoa opened with a velvet vocal palette that silenced the chatter. Zama Jobe’s soul-soaked performance carved space for nostalgia. Then came the hip-hop medley — Dyna Steez, Moozlie, Rouge, and Nadia Nakai—a fierce salute to the genre’s femcees. Babalwa M closed the night in a sonic baptism that sent the audience home walking taller.
But what added weight to every note was knowing the performers were flanked by the very women being honoured — a behind-the-scenes sisterhood that styled, managed, booked, prepped, and polished the evening into brilliance.
CEO Hloni Modise-Matau summed it up succinctly: “Basadi in Music has evolved from an awards show into an institution for women’s recognition in entertainment.” Now spanning two days, the platform signals not only a growing appreciation for women’s labour in entertainment, but a deeper shift: women are not asking to be seen — they are building the lens.
In an industry where “empowerment” is often reduced to hashtags and slogans, Basadi offers something better: receipts. It honours women not for surviving the industry, but for shaping it — and doing so in stilettos, studio headphones, production slates, and spreadsheets.
Closing Notes
The Basadi in Music Awards 2025 did more than hand out trophies — it redefined visibility. It was an editorial in motion, a runway of intent, and a reminder that when women are credited for the craft and labour they contribute, the whole industry sings a different tune.
And this year, the harmony was unmistakably feminine.
Follow @BasadiAwards and @JoburgTheatre for full coverage and behind-the-scenes content. Images from @sabc2 threads.
