Mafikizolo

Mafikizolo is a South African Afro-pop music group formed in 1996, originally consisting of composer Theo Kgosinkwe, lead singer Nhlanhla Mafu, and composer Tebogo Madingoane. The group gained prominence with singles such as “Ndihamba Nawe” and “Kwela Kwela.” Their self-titled debut album, “Mafikizolo,” was released in 1997, followed by “Music Revolution” in 1999. In 2000, they released “Gate Crashers,” which became their top-selling album, featuring hits like “Lotto” and “Majika.” The group continued to release successful albums like “Sibongile” in 2002, which included the hit single “Ndihamba Nawe,” and “Kwela” in 2003, featuring a collaboration with Hugh Masekela.

The group experienced a significant loss when Tebogo Madingoane was shot and killed in 2004. After a hiatus, Mafikizolo reunited and released their internationally acclaimed single “Khona” in 2013, featuring Uhuru. This marked a turning point, leading to their album “Reunited” in the same year, which earned them multiple awards at the 20th South African Music Awards. They further celebrated their longevity with the album “20” in 2017, marking their 20th anniversary in the music industry. This album included the track “Love Potion” and a collaboration with Yemi Alade on “Ofana Nawe.”

Over their career, Mafikizolo has received 14 South African Music Awards and two MTV Africa Music Awards, including Best Duo or Group of the Year. In recent years, they released the single “Mamezala” featuring Simmy in November 2021, which reached number 9 on the Radio Monitor Charts. Their twelfth studio album, “Idwala,” was released on August 26, 2022, and featured collaborations with artists like Sjava on the track “10k.” Mafikizolo continues to be active in the music scene, consistently releasing new music and performing.