Over 200 BOMU Awards entries disqualified
Laone Choeunyane | Friday June 19, 2026 10:02
The nominees were officially announced last Friday ahead of the main awards ceremony scheduled for August 29, 2026.
Speaking at the launch, Seabelo Modibe of Total Music Group, who played a key role in the adjudication process, revealed that hundreds of entries were rejected for non-compliance with the submission guidelines. Chief Judge Kapenda Katuta echoed the concern, citing missing information, incorrect attachments, incomplete documentation, and outdated material among the most common issues encountered during the screening process.
Katuta urged artists to approach future submissions with greater care and professionalism, noting that incomplete entries ultimately disadvantage the artists themselves.
“When crucial information is missing, artists lose the opportunity to be fairly assessed because their work is not being presented in the way it deserves to be heard and evaluated,” he said.
Modibe was equally firm on the importance of participation, stressing that award consideration begins with a proper submission.
'We don't care how big you are or how much you claim your song is being played. If you don't enter the BOMU Awards, we ignore you,' he said.
The strict adherence to submission requirements may explain the absence of several prominent names from this year's nominee list. Among the notable omissions are Ezra Neethings and Ubuntu Band, whose exclusion has already sparked debate among fans and industry observers.
Despite the challenges, the final nominees showcase the depth and diversity of Botswana's music industry. Han C and Issa Sisdoh emerge as the most nominated artists of the year, earning recognition across multiple categories.
Issa Sisdoh secured nominations for Best House/Dance EP/Album for Echoes of the Healing, Best Female, Best Newcomer and Best Collaboration for Vumadlodzi alongside Ancestral Rituals. Han C also features prominently, earning nominations in major categories including Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Male and Best Amapiano Artist.
Other artists enjoying strong representation include Thomas Chilume, DM Guys, Vee Mampeezy and Jinger Stone.
The race for Song of the Year is expected to be fiercely contested, with nominees including Gomba Gomba by Harry Cane, Raskanta Tobetsa Pina by DM Guys, Mamasita by Han C and Nkadumela by Thato Tladi. In the Album of the Year category, Lorato Ga Se Ntwa by Shumba Ratsega, Sebaga by Dada Kavino, Amadlozi by Ancestral Rituals and Bosa by Han C will compete for top honours.
Competition is equally intense in the performance categories. Best Male features Han C, Big T, Thomas Chilume and DJ Skizoh BW, while Best Female sees Samantha Mogwe, Amantle Brown, Dato Seiko and Issa Sisdoh vying for the award. The Best Newcomer category highlights a new generation of talent, with Jinger Stone, Issa Sisdoh, Kesego Lysson and Tefo Bright among the nominees.
The awards also celebrate excellence across a broad spectrum of genres, including Pop, House Kwasa, Kwaito, Hip Hop, Amapiano, Afro Pop, RnB, Jazz, Traditional/Indigenous Music, Reggae/Ragga and Rock. Technical categories such as Best Music Video Director, Best Music Producer/Engineer, Best Packaged EP/Album, Best Collaboration and Best Remix further highlight the creative talent working behind the scenes.
As the countdown to 29 August begins, the 2026 BOMU Awards nominations serve not only as a celebration of musical excellence but also as a reminder that professionalism remains a crucial ingredient in the industry's growth. The message from organisers was clear: talent alone is not enough, attention to detail matters too.