Afrika Cele

Afrika Cele biography

Born as Philile Cele in 1987 in Port Shepstone, she grew up in Mthwalume and was raised by both her parents. Uniquely, she is not only a talented singer but also a twin. Her passion for music was evident from a very young age.

She won a singing competition in primary school, which brought her a great deal of attention. During school holidays, she toured her home province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), selling her music on discs and visiting various towns.
In 2008, she moved to Johannesburg, where she joined the popular Xhosa Afro Pop singer Ntando Bangani as a backing vocalist.

Her Music Career

Philile Cele adopted the stage name Afrika. Her lyrics primarily focus on love, real-life experiences, and observations about the world. Afrika is more than just a singer—she is an activist, a storyteller, and a poet, infusing her creativity into her music as a proud young African woman.

She began her career as a backing vocalist and has performed alongside several well-known South African musicians, including Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Siphokazi, and Anton Goosen. Notably, she performed as a backing singer at the South African Music Awards Ceremony.
Later that same year, she received her big break when she was invited to join the late Lucky Dube’s band, One People Band, on a world tour.

This experience helped refine her talent. She has since traveled and performed in countries including the United States, Germany, across Europe, Australia, India, Lesotho, and Eswatini (Swaziland). She was honored with an award for Best Female Singer by the Umzumbe Municipality.

Afrika describes herself as having an old soul, drawing musical inspiration from old-school styles. She is deeply rooted in African sounds and has graced many prestigious stages, such as the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and the Ugu Jazz Festival. Through her music, she aims to uplift and spotlight African female musicians. Her debut album, Ngiphilile, is now available.