Naledi is nominated for Best African Duo or Group in R&B alongside fellow musician Mawelele.
Durban-born singer Naledi Aphiwe has been nominated at the Ninth All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).
The rising star, who won a Metro FM Music Award at the age of 18, is nominated for Best African Duo or Group in R&B alongside fellow musician Mawelele.
They are nominated alongside other African stars, including Kunmie from Nigeria, Manal from Morocco, and Grammy Award winner and 2024 nominee Rema.
Aphiwe said she is honoured to be nominated alongside some of Africa’s top artists.
“I never once imagined I’d be competing with global artists such as Rema, especially under the Best African Artist category,” she said.
“This puts me in conversations with other prominent artists and means I am no longer being referred to as the young artist who is still coming up.”
The singer said the recognition has encouraged her to focus on growing her audience beyond South Africa.
“This nomination made me realise I have the potential to shine outside of my comfort zone,” she said.
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A rising star
Aphiwe started singing at a young age and developed her talent through school choirs, church groups and local performances.
Her career gained international attention in 2022 after a classroom video of her singing at Khethokuhle Secondary School went viral on TikTok.
The clip caught the attention of global superstar Chris Brown, who later featured her vocals on his song Shooter from his Grammy Award-winning album 11:11.
Aphiwe’s music blends Afro-pop and soul, drawing inspiration from her Zulu heritage and contemporary global sounds.
Her songs focus on themes of love, gratitude, personal growth and cultural pride.
She said her approach to music is guided by her personal experiences.
“I make music based on my mood, my experiences, and the atmosphere in the studio,” she said.
She added that while awards are not her main focus, the recognition is meaningful to her.“
I will always appreciate my name being mentioned in such celebratory events because it shows that my work is getting more recognition,” she said.
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