Year End Awards: Winner's List! Congratulations and Continue The Success....

Year End Awards 2025

Welcome to the 2025 Mzansi Avenue Year End Awards! Our tagline for this year is Secure The Win we don't just get into ẞspecific industries to be irrelevant players, we want to set a standard, leave an impressionable mark and be one of the best to ever do it. So we celebrate those who went out there and won big in their professional lives. Aim. Strike & Celebrate.

Breakout Star Of The Year: Mawelele

A man who understands his voice, he moves in rhythm like an expert who knows what he's doing. Smooth and keeps it interesting. An active singer who is captivating. With just a verse you're pulled into his library of music, ready to hear more. His work such as Answers the EP, tell us that he's only going to get bigger because he's one of the best vocalists and is what we've been missing on the scene, a male talent who is into the swoon worthy hits. 

Artist Of The Year: Faouzia

With just porcelain I think she stole the show. Faouzia understands her art as a writer and singer, the piano driven ballad is almost reminiscent of Elastic Heart by Sia yet holds its own identity and maintains a Grammy Award winning performance as she heart soaringly gives you more than a description of the crime scene. She tells a story in the most mesmerizing way and we wonder why she's not as big because this sets her apart.

Songs Of The Year

International Song Of The Year: Weeds By Sugarbabes

Weeds is definitely a Sugababes high, it not only steals the spotlight of most of their discography. It gives you a greater impression of Mutya. Keisha & Siobhan they are gifted vocalists who make magic together, their harmonies and arrangements always give you an unlikely experience showcasing their servings are a delicacy for matured and rich ears. They've released a signature of hits this year yet this one is top of the list, memorable and ethereal.

National Song Of The Year: Lordkez -  Aweh Remix Ft. Cassper Nyovest

This song had everyone vibing along from TikToks to it playing, it sounds like the new classic, true to its south African roots it definitely has a richness in melody and Kez is just doing an amazing job, her soulful vocals and personality shine as an artist, truly making a stunning entrance. Cassper Nyovest brings in his vintage Cadillac that moves with charm and character. Making them an undeniable pair. 

International Game Changer Of The Year: Leigh-Anne 

Leigh-Anne took a bold step, most wouldn't dare. Leaving her label, going independent with a Virgin Records partner up. She didn't compromise her vision for the chart or a smooth drive to the top. She had to be authentic than to make sugary hits with no essence of identity. Her current rollout isn't everybody's cup of tea yet she's slowly gaining momentum with new fans popping up and it's a huge stray away from her Little Mix roots as some feel alienated by the new creative direction but hey! Let's make music inventive and different again. 

Brand Of The Year: Thabooty

Thabooty isn't just luxurious, it's comfort, it keeps on giving like it's festive, with a wide range of underwear, shapewear, loungewear and the new Tha'buti, we love a brand that grows its reach and caters for more than just women, over the years even when it comes to skincare women were the focus and now things have changed. Who wouldn't love to rock Tha'buti? I mean would. 

International Movie Of The Year: Superman 

We've always wanted a bright superhero, they're rare these days because lately you need to embrace the dark, emo or trauma aggression tropes where one should be stoned for frolicking in a field of flowers but James Gunn's reboot goes back to the source material and gives Superman a compelling, to the heart and for the people story that makes our inspire. 

Best TV Show: Inimba On Mzansi Magic

Milton Empire comes in hot with a winner, keeping viewers on edge with each episode as the fire keeps rising and tension is never absent from childhood resentment due to motherly abandonment to a broken sisterhood and a man in the middle of it all who is somehow the villain that keeps on giving (antagonizing much?) with a star studded cast and recent faces in the scene, Inimba definitely crafts a story centred around family turmoil and carries it all round with effortless navigation that serves palpable drama. 

OMG Moment Of The Year: Naomi Cashing in Her MITB Briefcase 

Naomi has been an amazing and standout star of 2025, her transition into a heel was well executed, she's sharp and her character is menacing, humorous and sneaky, an opportunist who wanted the top spot for herself. Her inring segments were popcorn gold and her cash in was unexpected and a huge payoff because while we wanted Slayomi, this new version is just 10x better. Congratulations to the Mother. 

Social Media Star Of The Year: Mologadi

Titus is giddy, campy and gives us Mologadi who will have you cackling and also the various scenarios where girls can either be cringe, vain or attention seeking divas, he brings the laughs and a vibrant energy. Not even a bad breakup could ruin his momentum. Stay shining and at times we often go to his page during cloudy days for some feel good cheer ups. 

Actor Of The Year: Thabiso Ramotshela (Youngins)

Sad boy drama? He definitely eats it up like breakfast in the morning. The toned body and sincere eyes with a silent cry for a better life. Thabiso shines as the troubled teen, who is just trying to survive and you can only enjoy his turmoil because of how he gets you to move you along this journey, emotionally gripping and a rush that leaves you rooting for him. He works the script better than a 9 to 5. 

Actress Of The Year: Ambyr Michelle (Beyond The Gates)

I'm not the biggest fan of Eva Thomas, I've been waiting for her take accountability for her actions and with Kat staying on her neck? I've been loving it. Yet Ambyr Michelle is a talent you can't deny she effortlessly expresses Eva in a way that is real, you don't see an actress but a character come to life that will draw your attention. When she first appeared on-screen I had chills, she felt like a force to be reckoned with and i hope the writers unleash her because she can be one of the most powerful women on the show. 

Man Of The Year: Sisa Hewana

We last saw him on Isidingo as SK Skhumbuzo Ace Ndimande starring alongside Khanya Mkangisa and Yonda Thomas  then back to TV Presenting and we all wondered where this hotshot had disappeared to only for him to resurface as Hlathi on Mzansi Magic's brand new telenovela, a role that has the country in conversation, not only did this comeback reestablish him, his acting chops were lauded and the ladies are swooning. 

Woman Of The Year: Thando Thabethe 

Not only is she one of the most exciting acts in entertainment but she's becoming a pioneer, her longevity is a definite brand of wine that's always on stock because she remains brilliantly on demand, her beauty compliments her brains as witnessing her skyrocket is better than fireworks.

Hottie Of The Year: Brandon Claybon

As soon as I watched the first episode of BTG and I saw his scene with Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis) I knew he'd be my favourite yet I've had a love-hate relationship with Martin for his impulsiveness and hot temper meets military style parenting, army Barbie much? Yet Brandon is not only one of the best actors right now but he brings an unforgettable smile and charm, a very engaging presence. His elegance echoes a room and we applaud, keep blazing the scene Sir Claybon.

Hottie Of The Year: Carrie Preston

Currently starring as the title character on Elsbeth a spin-off of the Good Wife. Carrie truly owns it playing a quirky and smart led that is often underestimated or seen as the sidekick that always proves they are guilty as she suspected. Carrie is showing us is nothing but a number as she continues to thrive and have fun on her show which on its 3rd season working with the greats such as Wendell Pierce. 

Best Written Show: Beyond The Gates 

The writers are a breed of exceptional character plan out, the rich and thought out dialogue that at times is like a punchline, giving you a classy rapper on the microphone. Fairmont crest has so much drama yet the intimate family scenes, the open up to you and conflicts that finally meet a resolution are met beautifully. From Dani's can't over Bill to moving on with Andre, it wasn't rushed as at times viewers got tired of Dani's back and forth, her journey was given good pacing to play out and Karla Mosley didn't disappoint. Leslie's introduction was scheme ala grand. Martin's secret a haunts you where it hurts the most - almost destroyed his marriage. So yeah, the writing is outstanding. 

Albums Of The Year: Film Noir by Faouzia 

Faouzia is truly taking it, she is great at fluency, her language of music is smooth, adventurous, daring and unexpected. She changes and drives her own narrative, telling a story as compelling as she is on the microphone. A gifted songwriter who keys in a charm as Film Noir is like an award winning affair with the beautifully written Porcelain. The Fun, Sensation, Glamorous and Chic Peace & Violence. Oh my! She's truly a work of art. 

Best Pop/R&B: Different Ways by No Guidnce 

It's such a two sided record, it gives you a stripped and raw opening catching your emotional attention with resonance because you can't help but relate I mean haven't we all been there? The echoing chorus is filled with questions and conflict, smooth and sad then the 2nd verse gives us a jamming pace, sensual yet still hurting. 

Wrestler Of The Year: Bayley

She may not have won the gold but her contribution to the business is remarkable, she's a key figure in the industry who is invested in the evolution and growth of women's wrestling, whether or not we're happy with her current booking, Bayley is one name that's cemented, her matches have been acclaimed, character and mic work truly impeccable. We hope 2026 will be a year where her giving pays off with an improvement to her booking because this locker room leader is someone we can see in a similar role to that of Triple H in WWE.

Thank You for Joining Us. These are our winners for this year.

Happy Holidays and God Bless. May 2026 be EPIC beyond expectation. Jesus is Lord.