Nontokozo Mkhize Reflects on an Extraordinary 2025 and Shares Vision for 2026

Gospel artist Nontokozo Mkhize has described 2025 as an extraordinary year, attributing her remarkable achievements to divine intervention. At just 25 years old, she experienced a series of career-defining moments that reshaped her musical journey and elevated her profile in the gospel music industry.

Her breakthrough single Esandleni became one of the year’s most impactful releases, earning widespread acclaim and propelling her to new heights of recognition. The song’s success was further reflected in multiple awards, including Song of the Year for Esandleni and Gospel Artist of the Year at the Basadi in Music Awards 2025. Nontokozo also won Newcomer of the Year at SAMA31 and secured Best Newcomer at the Metro FM Music Awards, cementing her status as one of the most promising talents in South African gospel.

Reflecting on her achievements, Nontokozo shared, “It’s been amazing. A lot of things happened that I was not expecting. Obviously, when we do music, we are expecting the best, but this year God really said, ‘easy’ for me. I always say God said easy. There were times where I just said, ‘God, this is too much.'”

Beyond her personal success, Nontokozo expressed pride in her younger sister Naledi Aphiwe, who has also made strides in the music industry. She noted the emotional significance of their accomplishments given their family journey. “I think my late mum would cry if she were to see us where we are. I’m also very proud of us. I always say God has a way wiping tears because the timing of it also, was just so perfect,” she said.

Looking ahead to 2026, Nontokozo plans to expand her artistic horizons beyond singing. Drawing on her background in performing arts, she intends to explore other creative avenues, including writing and scriptwriting, while continuing to produce music and embark on tours. “More music and a tour. I also want to explore more of art because I did perform arts at school. I want to do other things like writing and scriptwriting and not just focus on singing, so next year looks like me exploring more,” she shared.

Nontokozo Mkhize’s 2025 was a year of recognition, growth, and divine blessing, setting the stage for an ambitious 2026 that promises both musical innovation and broader artistic exploration.