• Phumla Music: Talk about being booked and busy… Barberton’s Phumla Nkomo, widely known as Phumla Music, featured on many concert billboards, including her own show: One Night with Phumla Music and Friends. She released new music and launched her latest EP, titled Yabo Dzoll.

• Gershom Ntimane: The multi-award-winning gospel musician from Bushbuckridge now holds the artist of the year title, courtesy of the 12th Mpumalanga Gospel Music Awards.

• Phindy the Real Queen: This MC’s skills, featuring mathwekelo ne borikiriki, took off. She is a sought-after entertainer and media personality who aims to inspire young creatives through her Rise Mpumalanga talent hub.

• Miss Mpumalanga, Malibongwe Mkhwanazi, and Mr Mpumalanga Sandile Gama: The 2025 winners of Mpumalanga’s notable pageants, Miss and Mr Mpumalanga, reached a milestone in establishing their careers in modelling and community development. Mkhwanazi, who hails from Volksrust, not only bagged the crown and a brand-new car, but also became the 2025 ambassador for the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator. KaNyamazane-based Gama went on to represent South Africa at the Mr Cosmopolitan 2025 in Thailand and was crowned the second runner-up.

• Leehleza: The master of groove culture – his vocals on the recently released “Tobetsa 3.0” are taking the groove and amapiano scenes by storm. Leehleza from Secunda, also represented the province at the 2025 Metro FM Music Awards, winning best dance song for “Hayi Baba”, featuring Chronical Deep and Kabza De Small.

• Makhi Thee Swappa Queen: Promise Silinda from Matsulu, has gained a staggering 2.4m followers on Facebook. She is an entertaining creator of humorous digital content.