Ciza vs Umafikizolo: A 2025 Song of the Year Rivalry No One Predicted

With public voting now underway and radio countdowns intensifying, South Africa’s annual Song of the Year battle is officially underway — with Ciza’s Isaka and Umafikizolo’s Uyoncengwa Unyoko emerging as argubly the two most dominant contenders nationwide.

The contest follows a year already shaped by major industry moments, including the SAMA31 build-up, where Goldmax and Thandiswa’s victory helped reignite national debate around what truly defines a Song of the Year in South Africa, beyond trophies and panels. (Read about the SAMA31 winners here),

Unlike formal awards, Song of the Year in South Africa is decided through public voting hosted independently by major radio stations, often producing multiple winners across regions. This unique tradition — explored in depth in NOWinSA’s widely read breakdown of South Africa’s 2024 Song of the Year race — culminates at midnight on New Year’s Eve, when listeners across the country usher in the new year with a single defining song.

The 2025 showdown carries an unmistakable layer of irony. Ciza is the son of Nhlanhla Mafu, the legendary lead vocalist and co-founder of Mafikizolo, one of South Africa’s most iconic music groups. His rise has been framed as both a breakout success and a continuation of a powerful musical lineage.

Facing him is Umafikizolo — a Maskandi star whose stage name has sparked intense debate online. Fans and critics alike have questioned why a rising artist would adopt a name so closely tied to an established cultural brand, raising concerns around creative originality, brand legacy and potential trademark implications.

Public comments on X remain sharply divided, “Only thing I hate about the music industry is the lack of creativity… Mafikizolo. Umafikizolo,” one viral post read. Other, however, argue the name reflects influence rather than infringement. Notably.

‘Isaka’ vs ‘Uyoncengwa Unyoko’: A duel of titans

Musically, both songs are delivering undeniable impact, though through different pathways to the public’s heart.

Ciza’s Isaka has been a chart-conquering juggernaut. Officially certified as the #1 Biggest Song of 2025 on the SA Official Singles Chart, it combines massive radio play, record-breaking streams, and strong digital sales. It was also named the most-streamed song in South Africa for 2025 on Spotify, a testament to its sustained digital dominance. Its cross-genre appeal earned it a spot on Spotify’s Best of African Heat list and critical praise from publications like OkayAfrica.

Umafikizolo’s Uyoncengwa Unyoko, in contrast, represents a viral, grassroots phenomenon. What began as a personal breakup anthem exploded into a national dance challenge, propelling the track to over 80 million global Spotify streams. Its significance is amplified as the sole Maskandi entry in Ukhozi FM’s Top 10 this year, filling a void left by the controversial exclusion of giants like Khuzani and Mthandeni. For many, it resonates as a culturally authentic voice that captured the public mood organically.

A ritual fraught with history and debate

The Song of the Year race has long been one of South Africa’s most passionately contested—and controversial—cultural rituals. Past years have seen wins by relatively unknown artists sparking debates over whether the vote reflects genuine popularity or other factors. In 2021, DJ Hlo’s Isibani victory drew widespread criticism from listeners who felt mainstream hits were overlooked. Similarly, the 2023 win by Maskandi artist Khusane Mpungose with Umjolo Lowo prompted questions about the song’s national reach versus its core fanbase support.

This year, Ukhozi FM introduced a new voting system—allowing the public to select a Top 10 from a longer shortlist and notably excluding the perennially dominant and controversial Maskandi rivals Khuzani and Mthandeni—in a bid to restore credibility.

Yet, controversy persists. MaWhoo, a top contender in Ukhozi FM’s Song of the Year alongside hot properties Sjava (Uyena), Zee Nxumalo & Dlala Thukzin (Mali), Sam Deep|Nia Pearl|Boohle|Mano (Shela), has publicly raised alarms, claiming that votes sent for her song (‘Bengicela‘ ) are being reflected in the system’s feedback under different artists’ names.

This allegation has fueled long-standing listener skepticism about the transparency and fairness of the process, proving that reforming this deeply ingrained public tradition is an ongoing challenge. (For context on how public votes shaped last year’s winners across stations, see our 2024 Song of the Year roundup – with Biri Marung taking home Song Of The Year gong in six different radio stations.

A National ritual, not a single competition

It’s crucial to understand that Song of the Year in South Africa is not a single, unified award. It is a decentralised tradition where major radio stations across the country each run their own independent public vote, reflecting the diverse musical tapestry of the nation. From Metro FM’s amapiano and hip-hop leanings to Umhlobo Wenene FM’s cultural focus, each station crowns a song that resonates most deeply with its unique audience.

Ukhozi FM, as the country’s largest radio station, commands a massive audience, making its competition the most watched and often the most indicative of broader national trends. Its decision to be the first major station to announce its Top 10 shortlist this year has effectively set the national agenda, focusing the country’s attention on this ironic duel weeks ahead of the traditional New Year’s Eve reveal—the moment known as Ingoma Ehlukanisa Unyaka (the song that divides the years).

The countdown begins

With voting windows now open and set to close at 12pm on December 31, 2025, the nation awaits the decisive midnight moment. Listeners can vote by SMSing “INGOMA” followed by their chosen song’s letter (A-J) to 32253.

This battle extends beyond the songs themselves. It is a referendum on what defines a year in sound: Is it the chart-topping, industry-validated hit embodied by Ciza’s Isaka? Or is it the organic, viral, and culturally-rooted movement carried by Umafikizolo’s Uyoncengwa Unyoko?

Whether musical legacy is renewed through Ciza, or directly challenged by the rise of Umafikizolo, one truth anchors this annual frenzy: Song of the Year in South Africa belongs, imperfectly and passionately, to the people — a chorus of votes that will literally soundtrack the nation’s step into 2026.

NOWinSA — Stories Shaping South Africa Today.