MaWhoo
Thandeka Nontobeko Ngema, 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.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. MaWhoo is wrapping up the year on a triumphant high, earning an extraordinary four nominations for Ukhozi FM‘s coveted Song of the Year title.Controversy
In 2024 during a live interview with L-Tido, Ngema revealed that she had multiple men on her social media account that contact her, including rapper Lil Wayne, Jay Z and Rick Ross. Her fans insisted her to prove if this was even true, to which Ngema shared a screenshot of a chat with Lil Wayne.Discography
Studio albums
- What a Time to Be Alive
- The Chosen
- The Sound of Magic
- ''Amazwi Okubonga''
Singles