Makhadzi

About

Makhadzi has turned her Limpopo roots and boundless energy into one of the most recognisable brands in South African music. From dancing at taxi ranks as a teenager to lifting a BET Award, the singer born Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona has built a career defined by relentless work and unapologetic pride in her Venda culture. Here is everything you need to know about her life, music and rise in this Makhadzi biography.

Makhadzi’s Personal Life

Makhadzi was born Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona on 30 June 1996 in the village of Ha-Mashamba, near Elim in South Africa’s Limpopo province. She adopted the stage name “Makhadzi” — a Tshivenda word for “aunt” — and has since become one of the proudest ambassadors of Venda culture in mainstream Mzansi entertainment.

Raised largely by her mother after her parents separated, she grew up alongside her siblings in a modest rural home. That upbringing, believe it or not, became the engine of her ambition and a recurring theme in her music.

Makhadzi’s Schooling

Makhadzi completed her matric at Mukula Integrated School in Limpopo. She later qualified in Public Relations and has spoken about furthering her studies in drama, balancing formal education with a fast-rising music career.

Makhadzi’s Career

Makhadzi’s career began on the street-level stages of Limpopo, where she performed as a dancer before stepping to the microphone as a singer.

Who is Makhadzi?

Makhadzi is a South African singer, songwriter and dancer known for a high-octane blend of Venda music, amapiano and Afro-pop. She started performing at around 13 years old and joined the dance group Makhirikhiri in 2010, long before her name became a household one.

When did Makhadzi break through?

Makhadzi broke through nationally with the 2019 hit “Matorokisi,” a song that turned her into one of the country’s most bankable live performers. Her first major television exposure had come a year earlier on Yo TV.

Makhadzi’s Music

Makhadzi’s music fuses traditional Tshivenda lyrics with contemporary dance production, a formula that has produced platinum-selling singles such as “Ghanama.” You might ask how one artist stays this consistent — the answer is a punishing release schedule and a live show built on non-stop dancing.

Makhadzi’s Discography

Makhadzi’s discography includes the albums Kokovha (2020), African Queen (2021), African Queen 2.0 (2022), Mbofholowo (2023) and Miracle Child (2024). In May 2023 she launched her own label, Makhadzi Entertainment, after previous stints with Rita Dee Entertainment and Open Mic Productions.

Makhadzi’s Relationships

Makhadzi’s relationships have drawn almost as much attention as her music, largely because of her long, on-and-off association with fellow Limpopo star Master KG.

Is Makhadzi married?

Makhadzi is not married. She has kept the current details of her romantic life relatively private, even as fans continue to speculate.

Makhadzi and Master KG

Makhadzi and “Jerusalema” hitmaker Master KG were one of South African music’s most talked-about couples, having first collaborated on the 2019 track “Tshikwama.” Their relationship played out publicly over several years, complete with break-ups and reconciliations that regularly trended on social media.

Makhadzi’s Family

Does Makhadzi have a child?

Makhadzi keeps her family life guarded and has not made her household a part of her public brand. She frequently credits her mother as her biggest supporter and the person who held the family together during her childhood.

Makhadzi’s Controversy

Makhadzi’s rise has not been without friction. In 2020 she was caught in a public dispute over alleged non-payment by her management, and in May 2023 she parted ways with Open Mic Productions — a split that fed months of industry headlines before she established her own label.

Makhadzi’s Car & House

Makhadzi has celebrated her success with milestones familiar to many self-made artists, including buying a home for her family in Limpopo. She tends to share these wins as motivation for her supporters rather than as pure flash.

Makhadzi’s Net Worth

Makhadzi’s net worth is estimated in the low tens of millions of rand, though published figures vary widely from one source to another. What is not in dispute is that her income streams — streaming, brand endorsements and a relentless touring calendar — place her among the most commercially active musicians in South Africa.

Makhadzi’s Awards & Recognition

Makhadzi’s trophy cabinet reflects her cross-continental appeal. Her honours include the 2024 BET Award for Best New International Act, Basadi in Music Awards’ Artist of the Year (2022 and 2024), an AFRIMA award (2021), a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award for Favourite African Star (2022) and a DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Award for Favourite Music Artist (2022), among others.

Social Media

Makhadzi is highly active on Instagram (@makhadzisa) and X, where she shares tour dates, new releases and behind-the-scenes moments with a large and devoted fan base.

Makhadzi Q&A

How old is Makhadzi?

Makhadzi is 30 years old. She was born on 30 June 1996 in Limpopo, South Africa.

Where is Makhadzi from?

Makhadzi is from Ha-Mashamba, a village near Elim in the Limpopo province of South Africa.

What does Makhadzi do for a living?

Makhadzi is a professional singer, songwriter and dancer whose sound blends Venda music with amapiano and Afro-pop.

What is Makhadzi’s net worth?

Makhadzi’s net worth is estimated in the low tens of millions of rand, although figures differ significantly across sources.

Are Makhadzi and Master KG still together?

Makhadzi and Master KG had a high-profile, on-and-off relationship that was widely reported in the South African media. The couple has publicly split and reconciled multiple times over the years.

Also known as:
Queen of Limpopo
Real name:
Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona
Occupation:
Singer, Songwriter, Dancer
Age:
30 years
Star sign:
Cancer
Nationality:
South African
Birth place:
Ha-Mashamba, Limpopo, South Africa
Height:
N/A
Children:
N/A
Net Worth:
Estimated R7.5 million+ (varies by source)