South African singer & model MaWhoo speaks about her success journey, working with Stilo Magolide and why she’s the next big thing

This week we had a sit down with fast-rising South African Singer Nontobeko Thandeka Ngema, popularly known as MaWhoo. She recently dropped a dope house song titled “Ngiyamthanda Umnganwam” featuring Corruption Boyz.

Apart from that, she’s already worked with some of the top artistes in South Africa, as an actress and as a video vixen. She is currently signed to our sister company, Tranquil Models.

Tell me where were you born? How was your childhood Where did you school? -What did you want to be while growing up?

I was born on 16 December, 1994 in Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal. I was raised at the same place. I attended Queen Nandi Primary School up to grade 7 where I recognized my talent of modeling and singing. Starting off high school, I attended Bhekeshowe high School which is next to my home place up to grade 9. Then I went to Kwasanti Public school in Durban, South Africa, doing commercial studies from grade 10 to grade 12 (Matric). I passed very well with one distinction.

Since I love fashion after matric I then started my own business selling designer clothes; I used to travel a lot. I visited Guangzhou and Istanbul to order…it was quiet interesting. I saved money for my school and managed to pay for my whole first year at the University last year but this year NSFAS is paying my studies. I am currently undertaking a Bachelor of Education.

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Who were the first mainstream artistes you worked with? How did it happen?

I recently recorded a house music song and my Stage name is Mawhoo. Firstly, I was under the agency Model Dynamics Agency in 2014 and left the same year. I left after starting my own business. I went on to work with Okmalumkoolkat on a short film called Amalobolo from which I gained experience on how to be creative on cameras. This was in 2017.
After a few months Stilo Magolide approached me to work with him on a video called A Minute.

You are based in a country with wide cultural diversity. How many languages can you speak?

Zulu, English, Ndebele, Xhosa, Swati and Sotho but I am not perfect in Sotho. That’s technically 5 languages.

What do you hope to achieve in the next one year?

I would love to be recognized in the music industry, as a model and actress. That’s my short term goal.

So which are some of the companies/brands or personalities you would love to work with in terms of modeling and acting?

I love would love to work with Puma, Adidas and or Nike.

What of celebs you would love to work with in music?

Dj Tira, Busiswa, Sho Madjozi, Okmalumkoolkat, Davido, Stilo Magolide, Niniola and Mabalanoiz

What’s that one thing you always wanted to achieve in your childhood that has come to pass?

Honestly, that has always been being a performer. That is; music, modeling and acting. I am currently in the process of signing my song at the South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMR), which is a dream come true for me. Watch out for this space; I’ll pop into mainstream media anytime soon!