Maskandi musician Umafikizolo is in the running for a historic achievement as his hit song Uyoncengwa Unyoko is nominated for year-end honors on South Africa’s two largest radio stations.
The 24-year-old artist, real name Khethukuthula Mhlongo, is nominated on both Ukhozi FM’s Ingoma Ehlukanisa Unyaka and Umhlobo Wenene’s Ingoma Yonyaka charts. Public votes will decide the winners, whose songs are played to millions of listeners during the new year crossover.
No maskandi artist has ever won both stations’ year-end competitions simultaneously. Khuzani is the only maskandi musician to have won Umhlobo Wenene’s title, which primarily features Xhosa artists.
Umafikizolo’s track has become a viral sensation, amassing 19 million YouTube views in three months and sparking a popular dance challenge. The artist says the dual nomination fulfills a childhood dream and believes 2025 could be his breakthrough year.