Intercontinental girl about town

SHO MADJOZI: THE PRIDE OF TSONGA PEOPLE

‘I owe all that I have today to my heritage and the power of social media.’

Up-and-coming entertainer Maya Wegerif is better known by her hip-hop stage name “Sho Madjozi” or “Tsakene”, the character she plays on DStv’s Mzansi Magic youth drama Isthembiso.

At just 25 years of age, this multi-lingual woman has not only broadened her horizons but is proof of just how crucial a role social media plays in life.

She made a name for herself through viral Instagram clippings and images which documented her colourful life and diverse family history.

Born in a remote village in Limpopo, she later spent her years as a student in Tanzania before heading to the United States to study African studies and creative writing.

“I am definitely not coloured but my dad is white. I guess you could call me the Trevor Noah of rap. I never noticed a difference growing because I grew up speaking Tsonga. Even my dad spoke Tsonga,” she said.

Wegerif admits the reason behind the name Madjozi was childish as it was taken from a Generations character Vivian Majozi, played by Faye Peters, who shared the same hairstyle as Wegerif.

Having four siblings, Wegerif shares how it’s only since her recent rise in the industry that her relationship with her brothers and sister has improved.

“We have actually gotten much closer since my career took off. My elder brother definitely uses my name to pick up girls, and its because I mentioned his name in my first single Probleme,” she said.

“Every week of my life has been pivotal since I featured in Okmalumekoolkat’s video.

“However, opening at the Castle Lite Extra Cold Experience has been the biggest so far, followed by the amazing reception I have received throughout the continent.”

Rap lifestyle pioneer Okmalumekoolkat discovered her through her booming Instagram feed, which portrays her as globetrotting writer, rapper and a proud Xibelani (Tsonga traditional dance) dancer. Among her unspoken truths, young Wegerif is also the author of a novel which she wrote during her time spent living next door to her mentor and legendary Ghanaian author of The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born, Ayi Kwei Armah. The pair were in isolation in one of the villages of Senegal, which helped this multi-talented creative tell her story. Madjozi’s story is one that needs documentation. It reaches out to the countries of Africa to reintroduce to the world a continent rich in colour, talent and heritage. Interestingly, it was around this time last year that the Instagram sensation made her way back to the country of her birth in search of her next challenge, not knowing it would be in the entertainment industry.

However before landing back in South Africa, Wegerif had to sell her possessions to raise funds which would allow her to first make a pit stop in Kenya for a week of fun and celebration, leaving her to arrive home with only a few items to wear.

“I quit my job in the United States and I hadn’t told my dad.

“I went into self-imposed exile because I couldn’t just come home without anything to show for it, especially since I had completed my studies in the United States.

“So I decided to sell my clothes, along with other second-hand stuff, and, as luck would have it, I went from being flat broke and not affording to replace my clothes to a healthy bank balance and getting clothes sent to me for free,” added the rapper.

It is uncertain what the future holds for this intercontinental daughter of the Tsonga clan.

Hers is a journey best captured in song, dance and language and shared through social media. She is a true representation of social globalisation.