Born Thandeka Ngema in Eshowe, Kwazulu Natal, MaWhoo is a dynamic female performer with a distinct voice that sets her apart from her peers. Her emphatic, emotionally resonant, and spiritually-indented messaging has made her a go-to vocalist for many esteemed producers.
Like many aspiring musicians, she harnessed her gift through singing at church and family gatherings but began to pursue it as a career at 11 years old when she submitted her first tune to a local radio station.
However, the mainstream industry got introduced to her talents when she signed with the independent record label Mabala Noise in 2018. While with the stable, she collaborated with Heavy K on “Umshado”. From then, the vocal powerhouse went on to work with Oscar Mbo on “Moya Wami” and the pioneering amapiano duo Scorpion Kings (DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small) on two tracks from their seminal album Once Upon a Time in Lockdown, amongst others.
In 2021/2, MaWhoo started releasing her music independently and also scored massive hits with the globe-trotting Master KG ("Ngiyamthanda"), DJ Maphorisa and Visca’s "Shona Kwelanga" and Sam Deep ("Thokoza"). Towards the tail end of 2022, she released her aptly-titled debut EP, WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE, as a way to fully showcase her prowess. The featured collaborators on the project include heavyweights like DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small, Major League DJz, Sam Deep, Busta 929, and Murumba Pitch.
