Khuzani Mpungose’s ‘Ijele’ ushers Ukhozi FM listeners to 2021

Congratulations are in order for Maskandi artist Khuzani Mpungose who received a whopping 957 950 votes, as his song Ijele ushered Ukhozi FM listeners to 2021. Fans cast a record-breaking 1.6 million votes for the 2020 campaign. 

The results have been widely celebrated but have led to some accusing the station of tribalism, using Maskandi artists to increase the station’s revenues from the campaign and that it’s no longer about the quality of the song.

Khuzani Mpungose received close to 1 million votes

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Sihle Zikalala has also joined scores of South Africans to congratulate the 31-year-old on his achievement. In the video Zikalala congratulated him on the success of his CD and single while emphasising the significance of traditional music.

Umshado! Akulon'ijele!

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala @sziks congratulates @khuzani_zn on winning song of the year the #UkhoziFMNYE2020 Countdown with 957 950 Votes. #ijele #GrowingKZNTogether pic.twitter.com/iMepGEz2V4

— KZN Provincial Gov (@kzngov) January 1, 2021

TRIBALISM ACCUSATIONS

Across other SABC radio stations the song of the year was Murahu by Limpopo born artist Makhadzi Muimbi. Tweeps accused the KZN based radio station of tribalism and profiting from the inclusion of Maskandi artists considering the fact that these artists have a huge fan base and have always been voted as number one whenever they are included in the top ten. Ijele alone made over R1.4 million for the station. In 2015, Mroza Fakude won by close to 44 000 votes and in 2019 Ntencane won by over 430 000 votes.

READ: Ukhozi FM’s Ingoma Ehlukanisa Unyaka campaign goes ahead

First time an unknown song winning Song of The Year.
Well, with 2020 and Covid-19, anything is possible. To this moment I have never heard of that #ijele song!
I thought people were tweeting from prison cells! pic.twitter.com/6QaARKFqAs

— PULE 🇿🇦 MATLHO (@PuleMatlho) January 1, 2021

This top 10 is becoming irrelevant, the fact that one person can vote forever is what corrupts the song of the year. #UkhoziFMNYE2020

— Fuze (@gcngcobo) December 31, 2020

I think #UkhoziFMNYE2020 is overrated, because almost every year we’ll have an Amabhinca song taking song of the year .. the whole narrative of song of the year is lost😪

— SenemeLerato (@LeratoSeneme) December 31, 2020

Ukhozi fm doesn't hide their tribalism anymore, what a shame.

— Deadpool⚔ (@Tiyiebee) January 1, 2021

Generally, a song needs to be in the station’s playlist for a minimum of three months in order to qualify for the Ingoma Ehlukanisa Unyaka campaign, however, Ijele by Khuzani and Amageja by his rival Mthandeni Manqele (now known as Indlabeyiphika) were both released in November but made it to the top ten.

KHUZANI THANKS HIS FANS

Indlamlenze as Mpungose is popularly known took to Instagram to thank his fans for voting for him and how humbled he is by the love they showed him.

THE TOP TEN SONGS AS VOTED FOR BY THE PUBLIC

10. Azana – Your Love (4472 votes)

9. MFR Souls ft. Major League DJ’s, Kamo Mphela and Bontle Smith – Amanikiniki (5689 votes)

8. Kelly Khumalo – Empini (9584 votes)

7. Soa Matrix ft. Shun G and Soulful G – Uthando (16 087 votes)

6. Mapara A Jazz ft. Ntosh Gazi and Colano – John Vuligate (27 803 votes)

5. DJ Hlo- Festive (45 109 votes)

4. Nomcebo Zikode ft. Master KG – Xola Moya Wami (71 465 votes)

3. Big Zulu ft. Ricky Rick – Imali Eningi (213 387 votes)

2. Indlabeyiphika – Amageja (312 051 votes)

1. Khuzani ft. Luve Dubazane – Ijele (957 950 votes)