MaWhoo
{{Short description|South African artist and model}}
{{Infobox artist
| name = MaWhoo
| birth_name = Thandeka Nontobeko Ngema
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1994|12|16}}
| birth_place = Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| nationality = South African
| alma_mater = University of South Africa (UNISA)
| notable_works =
}}
Thandeka Nontobeko Ngema (born 16 December 1994), professionally known as MaWhoo, is a South African singer-songwriter, and model.{{Cite web |title=MaWhoo's 'Kulula' Surpasses 1 Million Streams |url=https://slikouronlife.co.za/blog/24023/mawhoos-kulula-surpasses-1-million-streams/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=slikouronlife.co.za |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Sergio |date=2024-03-08 |title=Mawhoo's shocking revelation! American A-listers who slid into her DMs |url=https://www.bona.co.za/entertainment/mawhoos-shocking-revelation-american-a-listers-who-slid-into-her-dms/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Bona Magazine |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Masuku |first=Brooklyn |date=2023-09-05 |title=MaWhoo Drops New Single, 'Ingonyama' |url=https://gagasiworld.co.za/mawhoo-drops-new-single-ingonyama/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Gagasi World |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Watch MaWhoo's Live Acoustic Session |url=https://slikouronlife.co.za/blog/26377/watch-mawhoos-live-acoustic-session/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=slikouronlife.co.za |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-09-23 |title=Focalistic joins forces with Ch'cco, Mawhoo, EeQue, and Thama Tee for 'Wena My Dali': Watch |url=https://grungecake.com/focalistic-chcco-mawhoo-eeque-thama-tee-wena-my-dali/articles/103657 |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=GRUNGECAKE™ |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Pabi Cooper And Yumbs Drop 'Dali Wam' Featuring Nkosazana Daughter & MaWhoo |url=https://slikouronlife.co.za/blog/24468/pabi-cooper-and-yumbs-drop-dali-wam-featuring-nkosazana-daughter-mawhoo/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=slikouronlife.co.za |language=en}}
Apart from her home country, Ngema has performed in African countries such as Botswana, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chronicle.co.zw/small-crowd-big-impact-mawhoos-performance-resonates-in-bulawayo/|title=The Chronicle - Breaking news|date=28 January 2024 }}{{Cite web |last=Moroeng |first=Moroba |date=2024-01-10 |title="We are in": Kabza De Small shares first guest for one-man show |url=https://briefly.co.za/entertainment/celebrities/177213-kabza-de-small-unveils-mawhoo-guest-mozambique-man-show-fans-stoked-love/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Briefly |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Rethabile |first=Thandi |date=2025-06-05 |title=MaWhoo, GL_Ceejay & Thukuthela – Bengicela (Tholukuthi ) ft. JazzWorx |url=https://ceemuzic.com/music/mawhoo-gl-ceejay-thukuthela-bengicela-tholukuthi-ft-jazzworx-m66/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=CeeMuzic |language=en}}
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.{{Cite web |url=https://thesaga.co.za/mawhoo-biography/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=thesaga.co.za}}{{Cite web |last=TLHOAELE |first=KGALALELO |title=Mawhoo - I was so heartbroken |url=https://www.snl24.com/dailysun/celebs/music-healed-amapiano-vocalist-thandeka-ngema-popularly-known-as-mawhoo-20240309 |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Daily Sun |language=en-US}}
== 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.{{Cite web |last=Gcaba |first=Jessica |date=2024-01-09 |title="It means magical": How Okmalumkoolkat gave Mawhoo her stage name |url=https://briefly.co.za/entertainment/celebrities/177174-mawhoo-reveals-how-stage-okmalumkoolkate/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Briefly |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Mukotekwa |first=Leeroy |date=2024-01-10 |title=WATCH - Mawhoo's stage name meaning, relationship with Okmalumkoolkat revealed |url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/celeb-news/local-celebs/watch-mawhoos-stage-name-meaning-relationship-with-okmalumkoolkat-revealed/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=The South African |language=en-ZA}}
= Education =
Ngema has a degree obtained from the University of South Africa (UNISA).{{Cite web |last=Kings |date=2023-01-10 |title=Mawhoo (Nontobeko Thandeka Ngema) Biography, Early Life, Age, Career, Songs, Net Worth |url=https://kingminds.net/mawhoo-nontobeko-thandeka-ngema-biography-early-life-age-career-songs-net-worth/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=KingMinds |language=en-US}}
Career
Her single "Bengicela" with GL_Ceekay, Thukuthela featuring Jazzworx was released June 13, 2025.https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/sa-mawhoo-returns-new-single-bengicelaIt 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.{{cite web|date=2025-06-18|first=Lutho|last=Pasiya|title=MaWhoo expresses gratitude as 'Bengicela' tops global music charts|url=https://iol-co-za.webpkgcache.com/doc/-/s/iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/2025-06-18-mawhoo-expresses-gratitude-as-bengicela-tops-global-music-charts/|work=Independent Online|access-date=2025-06-24}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.iol.co.za/sunday-tribune/entertainment/watch-mawhoo-visits-l-tido-podcast-claims-lil-wayne-and-rick-ross-dmd-her-cd869189-508d-4450-bd88-88739f9b1573|title=WATCH: MaWhoo visits 'L-Tido' podcast, claims Lil Wayne and Rick Ross DM'd her}} Her fans insisted her to prove if this was even true, to which Ngema shared a screenshot of a chat with Lil Wayne.{{Cite web |last=Zuma |first=Mbalenhle |date=2024-03-08 |title=Mawhoo makes startling revelation about admirers in her DMs |url=https://sundayworld.co.za/celebrity-news/mawhoo-makes-startling-revelation-about-admirers-in-her-dms/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Sunday World |language=en-ZA}}{{Cite web |last=Akpobome |first=Deborah |date=2024-03-08 |title=Jay-Z, Lil Wayne are in my DM - South African singer, Mawhoo (Video) |url=https://www.correctng.com/jay-z-lil-wayne-are-in-my-dm-south-african-singer-mawhoo-video/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=CorrectNG |language=en-US}}
Discography
= Studio albums =
- What a Time to Be Alive (2022)
- The Chosen (2023)
- The Sound of Magic (2024)
Singles
=As lead artist=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name |
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:100%;"|ZA |
| scope="row" | "Umshado" (featuring Heavy-K)
|2019 |— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Ngiyamthanda" (MaWhoo, Master KG featuring Lowsheen)
|rowspan=2|2021 |— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Inkanyezi" (MaWhoo, Master KG featuring Lowsheen)
|— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Ngithakazele" (MaWhoo, DJ Fanzy featuring Andry K)
|rowspan=4|2022 |— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Ngithakazele"
|— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "10k Ye McDonald's" (MaWhoo featuring Mdoovar, 9umba)
|— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Thokoza" (Sam Deep, MaWhoo)
|— |Ace of Spades |
| scope="row" | "Umlilo" (DJ Ngwazi, Pouler D’musiq, MaWhoo)
|rowspan=5|2023 |— | | |
| scope="row" | "Nduma Ndumane" (MaWhoo, Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa featuring Da Muziqal Chef)
|— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Bayangzonda" (Mac Lopez, MaWhoo)
|— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "NgizoWela" (Slade, MaWhoo, Tycoon featuring Marcus MC, Stacy)
|— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Ngifunani" (Femi Large, MaWhoo)
|— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Imizi Yobaba" (Soulfreakah, MaWhoo)
|rowspan=2|2024 |— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Uthukela" (MaWhoo featuring Harry Cane, Eemoh)
|— | |{{non-album single}} |
| colspan="8" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
=As featured artist=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name |
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:100%;"|ZA |
| scope="row" | "Moya Wami" (Oscar Mbo featuring MaWhoo)
|rowspan=2|2020 |— |Gold |For the Groovists |
| scope="row" | "Bambelela" (Caltonic SA featuring Sje Konka, MaWhoo, Thabz Le Madonga)
| — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Uqobo Lwami" (DJ Fanzy featuring MaWhoo)
|2021 | — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Indoda Nge Card" (DJ Moscow, Deepsen, Eddie The Vocalist feat. DJ Moscow, MaWhoo)
|rowspan=2|2022 | — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Khumbul' Ekhaya" (Knowley-D featuring Busta 929, MaWhoo)
| — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Dali Wam" (Pabi Cooper, Yumbs featuring MaWhoo, Nkosazana Daughter)
|rowspan=9|2023 | — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Isthutha" (Inkinga Abangan Bam)" (Sam Deep, De Mthuda featuring Mawhoo, Mkeyz)
| — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Ungiphethe Kahle" (Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa featuring Nokwazi, MaWhoo, Mashudu & LeeArt)
| — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Noma Kanjani" (Sino Msolo featuring Kabza De Small, MaWhoo, Azana)
| — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Uthando" (The Groovist featuring MaWhoo)
| — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Zibonakalise" (HKs featuring MaWhoo)
| — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Wena My Dali" (Focalistic featuring Ch'cco, MaWhoo, EeQue, Thama Tee)
| — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Impilo" (Marlode & Owams featuring 2woBunnies, MaWhoo, Leandra.Vert, Toby Franco, Gilano, Sponge 101)
| — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Kutsa" (DJ Sliqe featuring Yanga Chief, MaWhoo, 2woshort, Makwa)
| — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Ungithandile" (Baby Momo featuring MaWhoo, Ceenday, Jay Sax, Shino Kikai, DJ 2K)
|rowspan=6|2024 | — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Ngifa Nawe" (MFR Souls, Kabza De Small featuring MaWhoo, Bassie, T-Man SA, Shane907)
| — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Amabhoza" (Aymos, Mas Musiq featuring MaWhoo)
| — | | Impilo |
| scope="row" | "Ematshwaleni" (Kususa, Anatti featuring MaWhoo, Noxolo Ngema, King Deetoy)
| — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Injabulo" (Lily Faith featuring Theo Kgosinkwe, X-Wise, Oskido, MaWhoo)
| — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Gucci" (Mthandeni SK, featuring MaWhoo)
| |{{non-album single}} |
| colspan="8" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Other charted and certified songs
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name |
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:100%;"|ZA |
| scope="row" |"Kulula" (Mawhoo, DJ Maphorisa, Kabza De Small)
|2022 |— |What a Time to Be Alive |
| colspan="8" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Personal life
There were reports that Ngema is dating Hlubi Nkosi.{{Cite web |title='The women he loved were me and Londie London' — Mawhoo on her relationship with Hlubi Nkosi |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2024-03-08-the-women-he-loved-were-me-and-londie-london--mawhoo-on-her-relationship-with-hlubi-nkosi/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=TimesLIVE |language=en-ZA}}{{Cite web |last=Mukotekwa |first=Leeroy |date=2023-08-14 |title=Trouble in paradise already? Hlubi Nkosi and Mawhoo spark breakup rumours |url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/celeb-news/hlubi-nkosi-and-mawhoo-spark-breakup-rumours-breaking-14-august-2023/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=The South African |language=en-ZA}} The couple had been reported exchanging gifts.{{Cite web |last=Ngcobo |first=Nokuthula |date=2023-10-29 |title='SIU doing press-ups': Hlubi Nkosi buys Bentley for himself, 'Mercedes for Mawhoo' |url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/celeb-news/breaking-siu-hlubi-nkosi-bentley-mercedes-mawhoo-londie-london-29-october-2023/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=The South African |language=en-ZA}}{{Cite web |last=Mukotekwa |first=Leeroy |date=2023-12-30 |title=WATCH - Mawhoo's Ngilimele live performance trends |url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/celeb-news/local-celebs/watch-mawhoos-ngilimele-live-performance-trends-breaking-30-december-2023/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=The South African |language=en-ZA}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:MaWhoo}}
Category:South African pop singers
Category:21st-century South African singers