Thandeka Ngema, popularly known as MaWhoo, has achieved great success as one of amapiano’s leading voices. The 31-year-old star from Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, has won awards, earned fame, and built a life many can only dream of.

But for MaWhoo, her heart’s greatest desire goes beyond the music stage. “I want to have a family. I want kids. That’s my biggest dream. I can afford anything I want, but now I need a family. I am a family person, and I want to have my own kids,” she told Daily Sun.

MaWhoo described 2025 as a year filled with gratitude and answered prayers. “I praise the God of miracles. At the beginning of the year, my prayer was for growth, and a lot of things have already happened. I’m truly thankful. God has answered some of my prayers already, and I’m still praying for more,” she said.

Her love for music started in church, where she sang before developing an interest in maskandi and Afro-pop, which later shaped her sound. Today, she spends most of her time working on new music. “I have my project out and it’s doing well. I work every day. Every chance I get, I just go to the studio,” she explained.

The star also offered encouragement to young and upcoming artists. “Don’t give up on yourself or on something you enjoy doing. Follow your heart. It might look difficult until it’s done but keep pushing,” she advised.

Although she performs mainly in isiZulu, her music has crossed cultural boundaries. “It’s priceless to see people from different cultures and traditions singing along to my songs. Even when I perform in isiZulu, the crowd sings with me. That feeling is amazing,” she said.

Last month, MaWhoo released her highly anticipated new album titled Amazwi Okubonga. The project is a heartfelt body of work that reflects her growth as an artist and her deep love for music. It also features collaborations with some of South Africa’s most respected talents, including Zee Nxumalo, Nkosazana Daughter, Thatohatsi, Tracy, Mthandeni SK, Mthunzi, Jazzworx, Sykes, Thukzen, Yumbs, GL_Ceejay, and Deep Sen.

Sharing her feelings about the project on Instagram, MaWhoo expressed the emotional journey behind it. “This project is my labour of love. I’m grateful to God, and to all the people who’ve supported my music throughout the years. This is my gift to you. May the music nurture, inspire, and heal you like it did with me during the making of it. Ngiyabonga to wonke umntu engisebenze naye kule EP,” she wrote.