10 articles
Arthur Mafokate (musician)
Arthur Mafokate, born Sello Arthur Mafokate, is a South African kwaito singer, producer, and record label owner who founded 999 Music in 1992 and boosted the careers of more than 50 artists, including Mandoza and Lira.
Chicco
Chicco, also known as Chicco Twala, is a South African singer and record producer from Soweto, a leading figure of 1980s bubblegum music and a foundational force behind kwaito.
Lebo Mathosa
Lebo Mathosa (1977–2006) was a South African singer who rose to fame as lead vocalist of the kwaito group Boom Shaka before a successful solo career.
Mshoza
Mshoza, born Nomasonto Maswanganyi, was a South African kwaito singer from Soweto billed the First Lady of Kwaito, best known for the hit "Kortes"; she died in 2020 at 37.
Thandiswa Mazwai (musician)
Thandiswa Mazwai, also billed as Thandiswa, is a South African singer and songwriter who led the kwaito group Bongo Maffin before a solo career from 2004; her album Sankofa won four SAMAs in 2025.
Thembi Seete
Thembi Seete, born 1977, is a South African singer, presenter, and actress who rose with kwaito group Boom Shaka and later played Gladys in Gomora.
Tokollo Tshabalala
Tokollo 'Magesh' Tshabalala (1976–2022) was a South African kwaito artist and founding member of TKZee, known for the hits Phalafala and Shibobo; he died at 45 after an epileptic seizure.
Trompies
Trompies are a South African kwaito group from Soweto formed in the mid-1990s, known for hits like "Magasman" and "Madibuseng" and for co-founding the Kalawa Jazmee label.
Zola (musician)
Zola, also known as Zola 7 and Bonginkosi Dlamini, is a South African kwaito musician and actor from Soweto whose debut album Umdlwembe went double platinum in 2002.
Zwai Bala
Zwai Bala, born Mzwandile Bala, is a South African singer, arranger, and producer best known as a founding member of the kwaito group TKZee, whose 1998 album Halloween sold over 200,000 copies.