- – Dada Kavino, Jinger Stone and Issa Sisdoh Lead XIV among biggest winners
Dada Kavino, Jinger Stone and Issa Sisdoh emerged among the biggest winners at the XIV BOMU Music Awards, as Botswana’s music industry returned to the spotlight following a one-year hiatus.
Dada Kavino’s Sebaga claimed the coveted Album of the Year award, while the project also earned recognition in the Best Kwasa Kwasa EP/Record category, giving the artist a double triumph on the night.
Jinger Stone also enjoyed a standout evening, taking home both Best International and Best Single for Best Decision.
Meanwhile, Issa Sisdoh further cemented her growing presence in the industry by winning Best Female and Best House/Dance EP/Record for Echo of the Healing.
The results cap a remarkable awards journey for Sisdoh, who was among the artists attracting significant attention ahead of the ceremony after earning nominations across several categories.
The Song of the Year prize went to Tobetsa for Pina Eo, adding another major honour to a night that saw artists from across Botswana’s musical spectrum recognised.
Another significant figure was Thomas Chilume, who was named Best Music Producer/Engineer and also won Best Collaboration alongside Sir Diamond Int. Sul and Thato Tladi for Nkatumele.
The awards also produced major wins across Botswana’s increasingly diverse musical landscape.
Han-C took Best Amapiano for Bosa EP, while Kabelo Tiro, known as Skavenja, won Best Afro Pop EP/Record for Kgatelopele. Drak Bin Wang claimed the Best Hip Hop EP/Record award for The Watcher, while Dreamslot won Best Rock N Roll Record for Re Maroko.
In the traditional and contemporary categories, Shumba Ratshega won Best Traditional Contemporary EP/Record for Lorato Ga Se Ntwa, while Monnamogolo Wa Thulaganyo took Best Folk/Indigenous Record for Ga Gona Nako.
The gospel categories saw Lecture Johnson win Best Contemporary Gospel Music Faith EP/Record for Glorified, while Obakeng Sengwaketse claimed Best Traditional Gospel EP/Record for Dedication.
The night also recognised Botswana’s established performers and emerging talent. Tefo Bright was named Best Newcomer, Ancestral Rituals won Best Group/Duo, and Big T took the Best Male award.
The influence of digital platforms was reflected in the newly introduced Most Viral Song category, which was won by DM Guys for Percentage Tse Di Wrong. Bafana Phempheretlhe meanwhile took Most Downloaded for Lekunutu Le Morena.
The awards also recognised technical and creative contributions behind the music, with CYC Jouzy winning Best Music Video Director for Sebaga (Video).
Several special honours were handed out during the ceremony. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Ranamane Abae, while Chairman’s Awards were presented to Women of Jazz — Nunu, Nono, Punah and Kearoma — as well as Davet Crew and Mpho Loeto and Shanti Lo.
Other category winners included Le Johman for Best Reggae, Ragga and Dance Hall Record with In Love With Music, Brian Rasesa for Best Pop EP/Record with Limerence, Dato Seiko for Best RnB EP/Record with The Vow, Maatla Ephraim Basha for Best Disco EP/Record with Power Splash, and Vee Mampeezy for Best House Kwasa EP/Record with Iyoo.
The awards featured some 35 awards given during the ceremony.
BOMU’s return comes after a year away from the awards calendar and follows a dramatic increase in submissions. This years the BOMU awards featured, almost 2000 entries were received for this edition, compared with 483 in 2024.
