Solomon Majafela Molokoane, widely known as Solly Moholo, will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 31st South African Music Awards (Samas) hybrid event on Sunday, December 14, 2025. The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) will confer the award in recognition of his enduring influence on gospel music and his remarkable reach across communities nationwide.
“Solly Moholo did not only perform gospel music, but he lived it, breathed it and made an entire nation move to its truth,” said Nhlanhla Sibisi, chief executive officer of RiSA. “He took sacred songs from the church into public spaces and showed that joy, faith and culture can coexist in a powerful way. Even though he left us in 2024, his voice continues to uplift and inspire. This Lifetime Achievement Award is the industry’s tribute to a South African music figure whose legacy will resonate for generations.”
Often referred to as the king of mokhukhu gospel music, Moholo was hospitalised in September 2024 after falling ill while on tour in Botswana. He passed away on October 2, 2024, at the age of 65, due to complications linked to organ failure and a stroke. His death prompted condolences from public figures, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, who acknowledged his cultural impact and contribution to South Africa’s national identity.
Moholo rose to national prominence in the early 2000s with the release of his album Ba Mmitsa Tsotsi in 2001. The album introduced many listeners to his distinctive sound and featured the hit song “Ke Latlhile Botsotsi,” which cemented his reputation as a leading figure in gospel music. Through his recordings, Moholo brought gospel music into homes across the country, making it accessible to audiences beyond traditional church settings.
A proud son of Soshanguve and lifelong member of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC), Moholo blended spiritual messages with township rhythms, energetic mokhukhu dance, and the distinctive sound of ZCC brass bands. This unique combination allowed him to connect with audiences from diverse backgrounds, bridging faith and culture in a way that few artists have achieved.
Early in his career, Moholo received multiple nominations at the Samas, including Best African Gospel Album in 2001 and Best African Traditional Gospel in 2009. The upcoming Lifetime Achievement Award recognises a career defined by consistency, cultural influence, and national reach, celebrating an artist whose work continues to inspire new generations of gospel musicians and listeners alike.
Solly Moholo’s legacy remains a testament to the power of music to uplift, unite, and celebrate South African faith and culture.
Join ' SA Gospel Music' WhatsApp Channel
Get the latest Gospel Music news delivered straight to your WhatsApp
CLICK HERE TO JOIN
