Nontobeko Thandeka Ngema

Biography

Thandeka Nontobeko Ngema (born 16 December 1994), professionally known as MaWhoo, is a South African singer-songwriter, and model. She got wide recognition after releasing her debut single "Umshado" featuring Heavy-K. Ngema has also appeared in several music videos, including acting in cameo roles. She has also modeled for brands in and outside of South Africa. She has also worked for Tribe Afrique, House of Supreme, and Convoy Clothing South Africa. She has collaborated with the likes of DJ Maphorisa, Master KG, Tsisto, Kabza De Small and Vigro Deep. Apart from her home country, Ngema has performed in African countries such as Botswana, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

== Background ==

=== Early life === Thandeka Nontobeko Ngema was born on 16 December 1994 in Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She started her music career at a young age. When she was eleven years old, she took her recorded song to a local radio station for air play, but was refused for being too young.

==== Stage names ==== In an interview, she shared that her stage name means "magical" in Japanese language. She reasoned that the name came up with Okmalumkoolcat.

=== Education === Ngema has a degree obtained from the University of South Africa (UNISA).

== Career == Her single "Bengicela" with GL_Ceekay, Thukuthela featuring Jazzworx was released June 13, 2025.It reached number one on Apple Music all-genres charts, trending song on YouTube, viral song on Shazam and number 5 on Spotify top songs charts respectively.

== Discography ==

=== Studio albums === What a Time to Be Alive (2022) The Chosen (2023) The Sound of Magic (2024) Amazwi Okubonga (2025)