Mawhoo

MaWhoo (born Thandeka Nontobeko Ngema on 16 December 1994) is a South African artist from Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal.

Her stage name, meaning “magical” in Japanese, was given to her by fellow artist Okmalumkoolkat and reflects the spirit of creativity and self-belief that defines her career.

MaWhoo shows an early passion for performance, first attempting to share her music with a local radio station at the age of eleven.

She made an impression with her debut single ‘Umshado’ featuring Heavy-K, which received wide recognition for its traditional South African rhythms and soulful house influences.

Beyond her work as a musician, MaWhoo built a strong reputation in modelling, collaborating with fashion houses such as Tribe Afrique, House of Supreme and Convoy Clothing South Africa. Her presence in music and fashion allowed her to develop a distinctive visual and sonic identity, balancing glamour with her cultural roots.

She has collaborated with artists including DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, Master KG and Vigro Deep. This helped her establish herself as a prominent voice in the amapiano and Afro-pop scenes. Her single ‘Kulula’ with DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small achieved Gold status in South Africa and solidified her position as one of the leading women in the country’s evolving soundscape.

Her discography includes What a Time to Be Alive (2022), The Chosen (2023), The Sound of Magic (2024) and Amazwi Okubonga (2025). Each project expanded her artistic range, combining rich harmonies, spiritual undertones and a commitment to authenticity.

She has performed in Botswana, eSwatini, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Photo: Mawhoo/ Instagram