An AI-generated audio version accompanies the announcement of this year’s South African Voiceover Awards nominees, with the ceremony set for October 10 and a special tribute planned for late actress Meme Ditshego.
Key takeaways
- Meme Ditshego will receive a posthumous honour in the Radio Drama Performer (Legacy) category.
- The awards will spotlight voiceover work across radio, television, animation, social media, documentary and sign language interpretation.
- Founder Sinemivuyo “Sine” Mpulu says the judging process is intentionally demanding and recognises both established pioneers and emerging talent.
- Live sign language learning will form part of the October 10 programme and will also be shared through streaming.
- The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways, Johannesburg.
Tribute and the road to the ceremony
The nominees have been announced ahead of a celebration dedicated to South Africa’s leading vocal performers. The event will also remember influential figures from the industry, including Ditshego, who passed away at 60 on June 25, 2025. She will be recognised after her death in the Radio Drama Performer (Legacy) category.
Mpulu, who established the South African Voiceover Awards, says securing a nomination requires more than simply submitting work. He described the assessment as a strict process designed to identify genuine excellence, while ensuring that previous generations and the industry’s future leaders are celebrated.
Beyond his role as founder, Mpulu works as a voiceover performer, master of ceremonies and content creator. He first gained broad attention through a TikTok parody series that recreated the style of Top Billing, later becoming the lifestyle programme’s official social media presenter.
Mpulu says voiceover has transformed his outlook on the world, media and entertainment. The field, he explained, has helped him give greater force to his own voice, motivating him to create more opportunities for others to be heard.
This year’s ceremony will include a live sign language lesson, with the organisers also planning to share the experience through streaming so audiences worldwide can learn. Voiceover professionals will take part in helping bring wider attention to the craft.
Nominee categories
The published categories and contenders are:
Lifetime Achievement Award
No nominees were listed in the announcement.
Best Documentary Voiceover Performance
No nominees were listed in the announcement.
Pan-African Voiceover Artist of the Year
No nominees were listed in the announcement.
Best Voiceover — Social Media (Vlogs)
- Sinethemba Madondo — Netflix ZA Promo: Bridgerton
- Presh Wa Rowie — TikTok vlogs
Best Commercial Voiceover Performance — Radio
- Thato Moatlhodi — Standard Bank
- Amanda du-Pont — Vodacom Radio
- Mthunzi Sibisi — Yoco App
Best Animation Voiceover Performance
- Thando Thabethe — My Dad The Bounty Hunter on Netflix
- Tyson Ngubeni — Kizazi Moto on Disney
- Candice Modiselle — Kizazi Moto on Disney
- Nsikayesizwe “Nasty C” Ngcobo — Kizazi Moto on Disney
Best Commercial Voiceover Performance — TV
- Thato Moatlhodi — Debonairs Pizza
- Siya Ngxambuza — Cartoonito
- Nina Hlalo — Dot Sure Insurance
Revolutionary Voice of the Year
- Alpha Ramushwana — Eye Witness News
- Amahle “Jax” Jaxa — Howzit News
- Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh — SMWX Podcast
- Shudufadzo Musida — Mindful Mondays
Best Voiceover Artist — Newcomer
No nominees were listed in the announcement.
Best Indigenous Voiceover Performance
No nominees were listed in the announcement.
Sign Language Interpreter of the Year
- Andiswa Gebashe — Sports @10
- Mpho Pauline Ndebele — posthumous award
- Sello Daniel Sengakana — Daily Sun
Jnr Sign Language Student of the Year
- Keabetswe Lehlaleroa — University of Free State
- Amahle Jemane — NSC Top Achiever
The awards gathering will be hosted at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways, Johannesburg.
