Ukhozi FM Song of the Year Saga: Celebrations and Outcries Surround Khuzani Mpungose's Win

Ukhozi FM, South Africa's largest radio station, continues to face backlash over its coveted Song of the Year competition. The announcement that maskandi singer Khuzani Mpungose clinched the top spot with his hit "Umjolo Lowo" was met with both celebration and dissent, echoing the disputes that surfaced in previous editions of the contest.

Two years after the uproar over Hlosiwe “DJ Hlo” Mthalane's win, Mpungose's victory has led to polarized opinions. In an interview with City Press, Mpungose remained unfazed by the criticism, displaying confidence in his wide fan base and his promotional efforts. According to him, it was clear that his song would take the prestigious title, attributing his success to fandom rather than just the merit of the music.

Mpungose's passion for fashion is not the only statement he makes. His stance on the current criticism is just as bold. He indicated that those who contested and failed to rally their fan base through an active campaign should not resent the outcome. The artist pointed out that his enthusiasm for the win eclipsed the material reward of R100,000.

The celebration was far from unanimous as the artist experienced hostility at the Gumba Festival in Richards Bay, where he faced a less-than-welcoming reception from fans of his chief adversary in the maskandi genre, Mthandeni “Igcokama Elisha” Manqele. Despite not naming Manqele directly, the longstanding rivalry between the two was evident.

On the defensive, Manqele dismissed claims of Mpungose's extensive support, asserting his own strong fanbase and the popularity of his song "Paris", which garnered second place and over 12 million YouTube views. He sharply rejected the association with Mpungose and asserted his focus on his followers and music rather than the controversy.

As the drama unfolds, Mpungose called for an end to the discrimination against maskandi music by commercial radio stations, which affects how genres perceive each other's value. The divisive tone of the competition has escalated to unfortunate extremes, with Mpungose offering condolences for a life lost in a related incident.

The singer urged the SABC to reconsider the competition framework to avoid community discord, stressing the importance of equitable treatment among artists and genres by radio stations.

The saga surrounding Ukhozi FM's annual competition illustrates the powerful intersection of music, fandom, and cultural representation in South Africa, prompting a reflection on the inclusive promotion of diverse music forms.