2026 video still: Makhadzi Entertainment x Blissbouy - Cancella Lenyalo (Official Music Video) — Makhadzi / YouTube
Makhadzi is Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona, born in 1996 in Ha-Mashamba, a village near Elim in Limpopo. Raised by her mother after her parents separated, she starts performing at taxi ranks around age thirteen and joins the group Makhirikhiri as a dancer by 2010 before recording her own music. Her sound is high-tempo dance and Venda pop, sung mostly in Tshivenda and built for full-scale live shows.
'Matorokisi' (2019) is the breakthrough, and the run since takes in the platinum 'Ghanama', the double-platinum 'Number 1' with Iyanya and Prince Benza, SAMA wins for Best Traditional Album and Music Video of the Year, and Best New International Act at the 2024 BET Awards. She has released through her own label, Makhadzi Entertainment, since 2023 — most recently Sesi Ka Rose (2025), which carries a SAMA Female Artist of the Year nomination into the August 2026 ceremony at Sun City.
Makhadzi’s comments about Tshivenda and Xitsonga speakers ahead of the planned 30 June shutdown were messy, emotional and controversial. But they also exposed a real anxiety about language, belonging and internal othering in South Africa.
SAMA32’s shortlist shows a South African music industry no longer defined by one centre. From Durban Gqom to Maskandi, Amapiano, Jazz, Gospel and regional scenes, the country’s sound is spreading power across many hubs.
Shandesh is billed on the second annual Lekompo Fest at Hospital View Sports Grounds in Tembisa. Strictly no under-18s.
Amanda Black is billed among the headliners for the Jozi edition of the Kota Festival, themed EZASE MZANSI: iDiski, running 10:00 until midnight at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec. Tickets went on sale on 3 August 2026 through Computicket BoxOffice; headliners are still being rolled out on the festival's official channels.
Emtee is named among the headliners announced for the Jozi Kota Festival, themed EZASE MZANSI: iDiski, running 10:00 until midnight at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec. Tickets went on sale 3 August 2026 via Computicket BoxOffice.
A-Reece is billed among the headliners announced for the Jozi Kota Festival, themed EZASE MZANSI: iDiski, at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec from 10:00 until midnight. Tickets went on sale 3 August 2026 through Computicket BoxOffice.
