The 2026 Metro FM Music Awards, held on Saturday night at the Durban ICC, proved to be a historic evening for the Limpopo-born genre of Lekompo.
This high-energy sound, which blends traditional Sepedi rhythms with house and electronic influences, took center stage as its biggest stars secured major wins against industry heavyweights.
Kharishma secures the Best New Artist title
The standout story of the night was undoubtedly Kharishma, born Melita Mogale. Often referred to as the Queen of Lekompo, she solidified her national status by winning the prestigious Best New Artist award.
Her rise from a viral sensation to a Metro FM winner highlights the mainstream breakthrough of the Lekompo sound. This victory is widely viewed as a torch-passing moment, following in the footsteps of Limpopo icons like Makhadzi, whom Kharishma has frequently cited as a primary influence.
Shandesh dominates the winners circle
While the Best Lekompo category was a fiercely contested battleground, Shandesh emerged as one of the night's biggest overall victors. Shandesh not only presented the genre with her hit track Sdudla or Slender, featuring Mvzzle, but also walked away with the awards for Best Female Artist and Best Lekompo.
Her hit song has been a staple in South African clubs and on social media, and her win in the dedicated Lekompo category confirms the genre's growth as a distinct and formidable force in the local music landscape.
The national rise of the Lekompo wave
The 2026 awards marked a significant shift for the genre. With nominees like Shebeshxt, Janesh, and Zee Nxumalo filling the categories, the Lekompo Wave is no longer just a regional trend from Limpopo but a national phenomenon.
The night concluded with high-energy performances that kept the Durban ICC on its feet, proving that the voice of the people is louder than ever. As Kharishma and Shandesh take their trophies home, the message is clear that Lekompo has officially arrived on the grandest stage of the South African music.