The 2025 GQ Men of the Year Awards unfolded last night at the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel in Johannesburg, where an intimate assembly of 50 distinguished guests gathered to celebrate South Africa’s trailblazers and cultural heavyweights. The evening honoured the individuals reshaping the country’s creative, cultural, and business landscape with Africori taking centre stage as Sjava was awarded the 2025 Excellence in Music Award.
Sjava’s win follows the resounding success of his September release, Uyena 2.0, a project that further cemented his position as one of South Africa’s most versatile and impactful artists. His seamless evolution from rap to Afropop to gospel continues to demonstrate a dynamic range that places him firmly in a league of his own.
Reflecting on the honour, Sjava expressed gratitude for the recognition and the room of peers who continue to champion his craft:“It means so much to sit in a room with people who consistently support my work and the work of everyone being celebrated tonight. The world is often quick to criticise and tear others down, so moments like this remind us that we are doing well, that what we create matters.”
