Upcoming pop and Amapiano artist Given Tshiendanamisi, known in music circles as “Sky Walker Music”, has released his latest single, “SheWater”, featuring Zambian musician MDA Kaliboy. The collaboration, which was released on Friday, 9 February, is a cross-cultural musical experience infused with captivating beats.

Pfano Mufamadi, known as “Master P”, is growing in popularity as a newsreader at Makhado FM. The dynamic young man was born in Mashau Madzhiga and started his education at Mariadze Primary. He completed his Grade 12 at Khwara Secondary before enrolling at the University of Venda, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in media studies.

Emerging Afro-pop artist Asakundwi Mulaudzi from Hamadala, popularly known as Asa Tee, has just released a single titled “Maanda Manzhi”. The song, which is a collaboration with JR Player, has been extremely well received since it was officially released on Tuesday, 1 February, reaching over 11,000 views in the first five days and becoming the most streamed (Venda) song of 2024 so far.

Simphiwe Mandiwana, an 18-year-old matriculant from Matangari village, has released her very first single, called “Simphiwe Anguish”, which is a combination of jazz and hip-hop, with a touch of RNB. This is the main track on her upcoming album that is set to be released soon.

Former Limpopo ace student Fulufhelani Mashapha published her book, titled “Mind Your Cents”, on 25 November last year.

The challenges and politics faced by so many budding musicians in the eighties were just too much for Tshivenda-music master guitarist Takalani Muvhango, so he never recorded a song to be released for his fans. This only happened in 2010 when “Vhomuvhango” was recorded. That was also the last time Muvhango saw the inside of a recording studio.

Popular disco-music maker Ronald “The Lion” Mudau has proved that he is a versatile artist who can perform music from any genre. His first House single, titled “DJ Sindani”, on which he collaborated with bigshot musicians such as Batondy, Prossboy, Nelly T, and Zimbabwean artist Dzidzai “DK” Mamombe, was released on 4 February and is bound to be another hit among the fans.

Following the success of her first novel, “Pfuramathupho”, which was published in 2022 and received global critical acclaim, Phathutshedzo Netshivhulana has published yet another novel, titled “Tshamato”. The book was published in January and, like her previous book, was translated into English under the title “The Price of Sin”.

Phiphidi-born Thuso Neluheni published her first book, titled “Inheritance”, on Wednesday, 7 February. The book is dedicated to young individuals who stand to inherit upon the death of their parents, reminding them never to lose their true values for the sake of money.

Gundo Budeli, a learner from Mpfariseni High School in Malamangwa village, has written a poem that he dedicated to Cyril Ramaphosa, and his only wish is for an opportunity to recite it to the president in person. The 19-year-old poet says he wants to use his God-given talent to show his appreciation for the good work that the Head of State is doing to improve the lives of South Africans.

The future is looking bright indeed for gospel musician Adolf Madondo from Dopeni village outside Thohoyandou who has just released his latest single, “Yehova Ndi Enene”, this year. The single has already earned him multiple nominations for the 2024 Royal Gospel Music Awards in the Best Modern Artist, New Upcoming Artist, and Best Male Artist categories.

Growing up in a home that also served as a church had a significant influence on Mulafhi Gogome Tshifularo’s life and music career. His father, Archbishop Tshisaphungo Samson Gogome Tshifularo, founded the New African Apostolic Church, with the headquarters based in Malavuwe, outside Thohoyandou. The late archbishop, who passed away four years ago at the ripe old age of 80, instilled very strict discipline in all 26 of his children. Every night the family would gather for evening prayer, where each child was expected to recite a verse from the Bible, and to sing a song.