Eswatini gospel sensation Nothando Hlophe has added another major accolade to her growing list of achievements after winning the coveted Song of the Year award at the 2026 Basadi in Music Awards in South Africa.
The gospel star was recognised for her hugely successful track Methodist Medley, which has continued to dominate streaming platforms and has established the multi-award-winning singer as one of the most influential gospel artists in the region.
The fifth annual Basadi in Music Awards (BIMA) were held on August 7 and 8, 2026, at the Joburg Theatre in Johannesburg, bringing together some of the biggest female names in South Africa’s music and entertainment industry. 
The awards celebrate and recognise women who have made significant contributions to the music and entertainment sectors.
Following her win, an elated Nothando Hlophe took to social media to celebrate the achievement and thank everyone who had played a role in her journey.
“We made it! Basadi in Music Awards. Thank you so much. We made it, guys. Song of the Year 2026. I’m so excited,” she said.
The ‘Sifuna Wena’ hitmaker extended her appreciation to her supporters who voted for her, as well as her family, management and wider team.
“Thank you so much to everyone who’s been voting for Nothando Hlophe. To my family, to my managers, to my team, to my husband. Thank you,” she said.
The victory comes at a particularly significant time in Nothando Hlophe’s career, with Methodist Medley enjoying remarkable commercial and streaming success across the region.
The song has now reached double-platinum status in South Africa, another career-defining milestone for the Eswatini-born gospel star.
The certification follows the track’s phenomenal performance, with Methodist Medley amassing more than 10.28 million streams in South Africa, demonstrating its widespread popularity among gospel music audiences.
Beyond its South African performance, the song has also established a formidable digital presence globally. Methodist Medley has surpassed 11 million streams on Spotify, while its YouTube performance has exceeded 20 million views, further underlining the extraordinary reach of Hlophe’s music.
The latest award therefore adds to what has already been an exceptional period for the singer, whose music continues to cross borders and attract audiences beyond Eswatini.
For Nothando Hlophe, however, the latest achievement was not simply about adding another trophy to her collection. It was also an opportunity to acknowledge the people and organisations that have supported her career.
“Words will never be enough to express how grateful I am for every person who has stood with me,
believed in me, and supported this journey,” she said. She specifically thanked Genesis Ekucaleni Media, Lokuhle Media Group and Eswatini Mobile for their support. “Genesis Ekucaleni Media.
Lokuhle Media Group. Eswatini Mobile. Ngiyabonga kungibamba ngesandla, nekukholelwa kimi. My heart is full. We did it!” she said.
