South Africa’s heroes – past and present – will take centre stage at the 2025 Siyabakhumbula Awards, a celebration of lives and legacies that have shaped the nation’s cultural, sporting, and social fabric. Now in its 15th year, the Awards have grown into a vibrant platform that preserves the memory of extraordinary individuals while applauding contemporary changemakers still transforming their communities today.
This year’s theme, “People forget what they should remember, and remember what they should forget,” reflects the Awards’ determination to ensure that invaluable contributions are never lost to time. Established by renowned poet and activist Mzwakhe Mbuli, the Siyabakhumbula Awards have become a cultural institution that champions both remembrance and recognition — turning gratitude into action.
At the 2025 ceremony, to be held on 4 October at the Gold Rush Dome, the spotlight will fall on a remarkable list of icons whose work transcended their own lifetimes. Among those to be posthumously recognised are Bhodloza Nzimande, Don Mattera, Jacob “Baby Jake” Matlala, Gloria Bosman, Clive Barker, Vuyo Mokoena, Thandie Klaasen, John Lesiba “Shoes” Moshoeu, Alan Toweel, Dorothy Masuku, Sammy Malete, “Sipho Jambo” Johnson and Junald Ahmed — names that evoke South Africa’s rich history of artistry, sport, and social contribution.
But Siyabakhumbula is not only about the past. The Awards also highlight living individuals whose daily efforts build stronger, more vibrant communities across the country. These honourees — from social entrepreneurs to artists, sports figures to public servants — embody the spirit of service and creativity that continues to inspire a new generation.
Founder Mzwakhe Mbuli says the Awards’ growing impact reflects a national hunger to honour those who made South Africa what it is today and those who are shaping its future. “We’re not just preserving history,” he explains. “We’re making sure people who do extraordinary work know they’re seen and valued — now and always.”
By blending remembrance with celebration, the Siyabakhumbula Awards remind South Africans that while lives may end, legacies endure — and that recognising positive change-makers strengthens the country’s collective memory and its social fabric for years to come.
