The stage is set, the setlists are locked in, and the pink carpet is ready to be rolled out. On 6 December 2025, theTikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa will take over Johannesburg for an evening dedicated to the creators and artists who’ve defined the year’s trends and sounds.
We are thrilled to reveal the musical powerhouses and dynamic hosts who will steer this celebration of creativity, culture, and community. From the Amapiano beats that crossed borders to R&B melodies that topped charts, this year’s lineup represents the very best of the theme of New era, New icons.
Defining the sound of 2025
This year, the soundtrack of our feeds was undeniable. To celebrate the music that moved us, we have invited two of the continent's most electrifying artists to perform.
First up is the Afro-fusion sensation, Ciza. If you scrolled through TikTok this year, you likely encountered the viral energy of his summer hit, ‘Isaka (6 am)’. The track did more than just chart; it sparked a continent-wide dance challenge, landing it in third spot on TikTok’s official South Africa Songs of the Summer 2025 list.
Ciza’s influence this year went beyond a single country. ‘Isaka (6 am)’ became a genuine cultural moment in Nigeria, breaking through a highly competitive Afrobeats landscape and showcasing a powerful cross-cultural exchange. His performance on the night will be a testament to how a catchy beat, amplified by the creativity of the TikTok community, can achieve Africa-wide dominance. With the legacy of the track continuing through the Isaka II remix featuring superstars Tems and Omah Lay, Ciza exemplifies how global entrepreneurial success is born on the platform.
Joining him is the award-winning South African singer, songwriter, and poet, Lord Kez (Keziah Zoë Meyers). Known as a definitive voice for bold storytelling, Lord Kez masterfully weaves together R&B, neo-soul, hip-hop, and trap. Her hit single, ‘Aweh’, topped South African R&B charts for four consecutive weeks, driven by the significant buzz and support of her TikTok community. Lord Kez symbolises how authenticity thrives on TikTok, and her set promises to be a soulful display of the vulnerability and genre-fluid artistry that lights up the night.
South African R&B favourite Thabsie, whose smooth blend of R&B and pop first caught attention on Kwesta’s Ngiyaz’fela Ngawe will also grace the stage with her soulful voice and standout presence.
And the DJs are well-represented: Thuli P takes charge as the night’s resident DJ, while rising nightlife talent DJ Fif_laaa will kick things off and closes the show.
Head of Content Operations at TikTok Sub-Saharan Africa, Boniswa Sidwaba, "TikTok is the leading platform for music discovery, constantly shaping the industry and driving real-world success for artists. We are proud to showcase such a rich pool of talent at this year’s awards, which truly reflects on the power of the platform.”
Hosts with the Most
Guiding us through the night of excellence is a trio that perfectly personifies the range of content on TikTok: from high-energy entertainment to heartwarming social impact.
The main stage will be graced by South African multi-disciplinary artist Bontle Modiselle-Moloi as the host of the night. Bontle is a creator who embodies the new wave of icons shaping culture on TikTok with her blend of polished performance and viral authenticity
On the pink carpet, Keegan Gordon and Zayaan Noorani will capture the evening's fashion and excitment, with Keegan’s community-driven storytelling and Zayaan’s bold, expressive style ensuring a blend of impact, fun, and humour. South African favourite Mihlali Ndamase will make a surprise appearance at the event.
To relive all the excitement from the awards, we encourage our TikTok Community to tune into TikTok LIVE re-broadcast on the @tiktok.africa account at around 20:00h SAST on 11 December 2025. Follow TikTok’s official channels for additional highlights and updates.
- TikToK: @tiktok.africa, @tiktoksouthafrica and @tiktok_nigeria
- Intagram: TikTok Kenya, TikTok Nigeria and TikTok_South Africa
This year’s TikTok Awards are proudly sponsored by our esteemed group of partners, with NIVEA (Beiersdorf) and inDrive serving as Title Sponsors. Coca-Cola, Dis-Chem, and PEP join as Category Sponsors.