26 May 2026

After a deliberate one-year hiatus, Botswana’s most celebrated music night is back, bringing with it a nominee list that reflects both the depth and the evolution of the country’s contemporary sound.

On June 12, the Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) unveiled the nominees for the XIV BOMU Music Awards and this year’s theme: Music Beyond, signals an ambition that stretches far past a standard trophy ceremony; it is a definitive statement about where the country’s music is headed.

The nominations feature a compelling mix of established icons and emerging talent, sparking instant excitement across the industry.

According to BOMU awards coordinator, Seabelo Modibe, this year’s awards attracted an unprecedented wave of interest, with a total of almost 2 000 entries received compared to just 483 in 2024.

While the judging process presented a few challenges, organisers were encouraged by the quality and quantity of the submissions. The numbers alone tell a story of massive momentum, a staggering leap suggesting that the local music industry is gaining serious confidence.

Modibe further noted that the Best Single category emerged as one of the most highly contested, drawing the highest number of submissions. Despite the enthusiasm, the road to the final nominee list was not without its bumps.

BOMU chief judge, Kapenda Katuta noted that several entries had to be disqualified due to administrative errors by the applicants, including a number of entries that came with incomplete information, some with empty folders and others that sent material recorded many years ago.

Katuta urged artistes to take the submission process seriously in the future, warning that when information was missing, the artiste lost the opportunity to be fairly judged because their music deserved to be heard properly.

Leading this year’s charge is Han C, whose six nominations span Best Single, Best Amapiano, Best Remix, Best Male Artiste, Album of the Year and Song of the Year, a sweep that cemented his status as one of the country’s most dominant creative forces right now.

Close behind is Issa Sisdoh, who earned recognition across four categories including Best Newcomer, Best Female Artiste, Best Dance/House EP and Best Collaboration alongside Ancestral Rituals.

This is a striking debut on the awards circuit for the 23-year-old from Maokane, who is quickly becoming one of the most compelling new voices in Botswana’s music scene.
In one of the night’s most emotional highlights, the late, Atasaone ‘ATI’Molemogi received a posthumous nomination in the Best Single category for Shimmy Shim.

The nod serves as a poignant reminder that great music outlives its creators, celebrating his lasting influence on Botswana’s cultural landscape and ensuring that his work continues to inspire listeners.

Embracing the digital age, BOMU also introduced the Most Viral Song category, a new addition that acknowledges the reality of modern music consumption by effectively bridging the gap between online trends and traditional airplay.

The main awards ceremony is scheduled for August 29, with the venue to be announced soon. Public voting will determine the winners in the Top Six categories. Promising a night to remember, Modibe said the audience could look forward to several fresh elements, including the debut of a first-ever all-female house band and a completely reimagined red-carpet experience. ENDS