The Votes Are In: South Africa’s Song of the Year 2025
South Africa’s vibrant music scene has spoken — and the people have crowned “Ngwanaka” by Janesh featuring Hitboss SA as the official Song of the Year 2025! Topping the Votters social voting chart with a remarkable 91% score, this track captured the nation’s ears and hearts throughout the year, defining the soundtrack of 2025 for millions of fans across genres and generations. Votters
A Soundtrack for the Year
From township streets to global playlists, 2025 was a celebration of diversity in sound: amapiano rhythms shook dancefloors, soulful lyrics became everyday anthems, and collaborations pushed creative boundaries like never before. But it was Ngwanaka that stood above all — blending infectious melodies, storytelling flair, and crowd-driven energy into the song most voted by music lovers across South Africa. Votters
The Top Ranked Songs of 2025
Here’s how the top contenders stacked up on the Votters chart:
- Ngwanaka — Janesh feat. Hitboss SA (91%) — WINNER
- Abantwana Bakho — DJ Maphorisa, Xduppy & Kabza De Small ft. Thatohatsi, Young Stunna & Nkosazana (87%)
- Sdudla or Slender — Shandesh & Mvzzle (86%)
- Shela — Sam Deep, Nia Pearl & Boohle (81%)
- Awungazi — DJ Tira, Pcee & Campmasters ft General C’Mamane (80%)
…and many more hits that marked the year. Votters
These tracks reflect the eclectic tastes of South African listeners in 2025 — from amapiano and afro-pop to hip-hop and collaborative power-houses — and showcase the depth and creativity flourishing in the local music industry. Votters
2025 in Music: Trends That Defined the Year
While Ngwanaka reigned on the Votters list, Spotify’s Wrapped 2025 also showed the massive impact of other South African hits — especially across dance and township sounds — ranking “Isaka (6am)” by CIZA among the most-streamed songs nationwide with over 39 million streams. The Post
This surge in engagement — particularly for homegrown tracks — highlights how digital platforms and viral culture (from TikTok dance challenges to playlist dominance) helped elevate local artists like never before. The Post
What This Means for SA Music
“Ngwanaka” isn’t just a hit — it’s the anthem of a generation. Its success on Votters shows how South Africans today connect with music that feels personal, uplifting, and rooted in local identity. As art continues to evolve and cross borders, 2025 will be remembered as a year when the nation’s collective voice truly shaped its musical legacy. Votters
