Kuhle Adams’ Basadi Music Awards nomination is being framed as far more than a career headline—it’s a marker of the years she has spent building her name as a familiar face on South African television.
The Expresso morning show presenter has earned a spot in the TV Show Presenter of the Year category, calling the moment “grounding” as she reflects on reaching a major personal milestone in front of the camera.
Adams shared that the recognition comes after a decade in the industry, explaining that it has helped her step back and absorb what she’s achieved. “This is my 10th year in the space since my debut on television. Getting this nomination is honestly so grounding… I’m also very excited,” she said.
She added that her schedule was packed when she first heard the news, and that the significance only fully landed when the nominees were formally unveiled last week. “I was quite busy when I received the news that I was nominated, but it all sank in when the nominations were officially announced last week,” Adams said. “I was like, ‘Oh my goodness, this is real.’ The first people I told were my mom and my sister, and they were extremely excited. They were just like, ‘Where do we start voting?’”
For Adams, the nomination also carried extra weight because it places her alongside some of the country’s best-known and most respected television professionals.
“You look at the other women who are listed in the category and you’re just like, ‘You guys are putting me next to Nomalanga Shozi and Candice Modiselle?’ These are women who are always pushing the standard in the industry,” she said.
She continued: “So, to be mentioned and named and receive the nod alongside these incredible women, I was just like, ‘My word.’”
The Basadi Music Awards nominations for 2026 were announced on Thursday, spotlighting women driving impact across music, media, and the broader entertainment landscape.
Adams said that if she wins, it would act as confirmation of the years of effort that have gone into her career.
- Adams’ nomination is positioned as a reflection of her 10 years in television and her growth as a presenter.
- She describes the news as “grounding,” saying it became fully real when nominations were officially announced last week.
- She tells how her first reactions came from her mother and sister, who immediately asked about voting.
- She highlights the emotional value of being nominated alongside other highly regarded presenters.
- She says a win would validate the work of the people who supported her along the way—family, management, friends, colleagues, and audiences.
Leading the 2026 awards conversation is singer Zee Nxumalo, who collected six nominations spanning multiple categories, including Artist of the Year, Amapiano Artist of the Year, Best Styled Artist of the Year, Best Female Feature of the Year, and Collaboration of the Year.
Speaking about her Artist of the Year nomination, Nxumalo described the nod as a chance to pause and recognize how far she has come.
“Honestly, ngijabula kakhulu. I was genuinely happy when I found out. The past year has been such a blessing for me, and there have been so many special moments, so receiving a nomination like this is always an amazing feeling,” she said.
She added that the nomination helped her reflect on her journey, explaining that it’s easy to stay locked in on the work without fully appreciating the path. “I took a moment to reflect on how far I’ve come and everything that’s happened along the way. Sometimes you’re so focused on the work that you don’t stop and appreciate the journey. Moments like these remind you to do exactly that, and ngibonga kakhulu for the love and support I’ve received,” Nxumalo said.
The Artist of the Year category features a strong group of names, including Nigerian star Ayra Starr, Grammy-winning singer Tyla, MaWhoo, Nkosazana Daughter, Kharishma, Mmatema, Shandesh, and Zee Nxumalo.
Amapiano remains a major force in the nominations, with DBN Gogo, Kamo Mphela, MaWhoo, Nkosazana Daughter, Nobuhle, Thatohatsi, Kharishma, and Zee Nxumalo all competing for Amapiano Artist of the Year.
Other categories set to be contested include Afro Pop Artist of the Year, Best Female Feature of the Year, Best Styled Artist of the Year, Dance Music Artist of the Year, DJ of the Year, and Gospel Artist of the Year.
In Collaboration of the Year, several fan-favourite pairings and projects are in the running, including Cici and Naledi Aphiwe with Amen, DJ Zinhle and Thabsie SA with Kusazokhanya, Erin Elliot and Sophia Frank with Birthday Cake, Lwah Ndlukulu and Starr Healer with Allowance, and MaWhoo and Zee Nxumalo with Sesamukela.
The awards also extend beyond music to celebrate women working behind the scenes through the Vanguard categories, which honour excellence in journalism, radio, television production, podcasting, styling, beauty, and artist management.
In the TV Show Presenter of the Year race, Adams will go up against Candice Modiselle Sello, Nomalanga Shozi, and Penny Lebyane.
Adams said a victory would recognise not only her personal effort, but also the wider team and community who helped shape her journey.
“I started this journey when I was 19. Every opportunity taught me something new,” she said.
“Walking away with this award would be validation of years of hard work. It would be an award for everyone who’s contributed to my growth and my success. It would be an award for my family, my management team, my friends, my industry colleagues and the audiences who have supported me.”
Nxumalo echoed a similar theme, saying the nomination belongs to everyone who has supported her along the way.
“Basadi is all about celebrating women who are making an impact, and that’s something I’m really proud to be part of. Obviously, winning would be special, kodwa being nominated alongside so many incredible women is an honour,” she said.
Here’s the full list of nominees:
TV Show Presenter of the Year
- Candice Modiselle Sello (One Gospel Easter Music Special)
- Kuhle Adams (Expresso)
- Nomalanga Shozi (Playlist @ Moloko)
- Penny Lebyane (Enklek Let’s Connect)
Amapiano Artist of the Year
- Zee Nxumalo
- DBN Gogo
- Kamo Mphela
- MaWhoo
- Nkosazana Daughter
- Nobuhle
- Thatohatsi
- Zee Nxumalo
- Tyla
- Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
- Kharishma
- MaWhoo
- Mmatema
- Nkosazana Daughter
- Shandesh
Afro Pop Artist of the Year
- Aya Msani — Sondela
- Kelly Khumalo — Nyamezela
- Maleh — Khotso Le Lesedi (Lesotho)
- Nonny Muji — Lo Bhuti
- Pretty Masompisi — eKhaya
- Phumla Music — Brand New
Best Female Feature of the Year
- De Rose — Lutho
- Kabza De Small featuring Nontokozo Mkhize & Mthunzi — Siyabonga
- Kabza De Small, MDU aka TRP featuring Zawadi Yamungu — Lawuleka
- Kelvin Momo featuring Zee_nhle, Mashudu & Mano — Spani Sam
- MaWhoo, GL_Ceejay, Jazzworx & Thukuthela featuring Tracy & Thatohatsi — Tholukuthi (Bengicela)
- Sam Deep, Nia Pearl & Boohle featuring Mano — Shela
Best Styled Artist of the Year
- DJ Lamiez
- DJ Zinhle
- Nia Pearl
- Thabsie SA
- Uncle Waffles (Eswatini)
- Zawadi Yamungu
- Zee Nxumalo
Collaboration of the Year
- Cici & Naledi Aphiwe — Amen
- DJ Zinhle & Thabsie SA — Kusazokhanya
- Erin Elliot & Sophia Frank — Birthday Cake
- Lwah Ndlukulu & Starr Healer — Allowance
- MaWhoo & Zee Nxumalo — Sesamukela
- Mamakie Motlogelwa & Mmaausi — Chuku
Dance Music Artist of the Year
- Babes Wodumo
- DJ Zinhle & Liema Pantsi
- Kharishma
- Shandesh
- Uncle Waffles (Eswatini)
- DBN Gogo
- DJ Lesa
- Kasi Duchaz
- Kele Megano
- LKG
- Uncle Waffles (Eswatini)
Gospel Artist of the Year
- Ada Ehi — Maberumo (Nigeria)
- Futhi Mhlongo — Phat Igama LikaJesu
- HLE — Blessed
- Mmatema — Oa Ntwanela
- Musa Yende — Kubo Bonke
Artist Manager of the Year
- Daisy Thato Selebogo (Botswana)
- Mela Mtimande
- Sannah Thwala
- Shiran Weltsman
- Thuli Kweupile
- Vanessa Mazabane
Entertainment Journalist of the Year
- Ivie Ani (OkayAfrica/Vanity Fair/Vibe) (Nigeria)
- Joy Mphande (TimesLive)
- Lopang Mokae (Newzroom Afrika)
- Oluthando Keteyi (IOL Entertainment)
- Phumi Ramalepe (News24)
Entertainment Radio Presenter of the Year
- Boipelo Mooketsi (5FM — 5 After Hours)
- Bolele Polisa (947 — The Frequency)
- Lebo Maoela (Lesedi FM — Rea Thella Afternoon Drive Show)
- Lebo Ndiya (Motsweding FM — Megagamola)
- Lerato Kganyago (Metro FM — Midday Link-Up)
Entertainment Radio Producer of the Year
- Letty Nyathela Chili (Ikwekwezi FM — Emthonjeni)
- Masego (5FM — 5 Drive)
- Nthabiseng Mamabolo (Radio 2000 — Better together)
- Phila Tyekana (Kaya 959 — Drive 959)
Entertainment Tv Producer of the Year
- Dibuseng Meloe (The Morning Show)
- Minnie Dlamini (Club Bangers — Channel O)
- Thapelo Mowela (Morning Live)
- Irene de Fonseca
- Jessica Neyasi Chiau (Mozambique)
- Ntombomzi Lekgoro
- Smangele Sibisi
Makeup Artist of the Year
- Bokamoso Dikobe
- Carol Nleya (Zimbabwe)
- Nono Linchwe
- Renee De Wit
- Zamo Dlamini (Eswatini)
Podcast Presenter of the Year
- Anyiko Owoko (VIP Access) (Kenya)
- Khanyi Mars (Yano Lyrics)
- Londi London (Read The Room)
- Relebogile Mabotja (Relebogile Mabotja Podcast)
- Yanda Woods (Spreading Humours)
- Khanyisile Mdletshe
- Mamello Makha
- Siyamthanda Ndube
- Thato Ndzimande
