Sho Madjozi, born Maya Christinah Xichavo Wegerif on May 9, 1992, is a multifaceted South African artist who raps, sings, writes songs, acts, and composes poetry. She proudly showcases her Tsonga heritage through her music and public persona. Madjozi’s achievements in the entertainment industry earned her a spot on Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 list in 2019.
Profile Summary
| Full Name: | Maya Christinah Xichavo Wegerif |
| Date Of Birth: | May 9, 1992 |
| Place Of Birth: | Elim, Limpopo, S.A |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Occupations: | Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Poet, Actress |
| Labels: | Epic |
| Net Worth: | $85,600 |
Early Life And Education
Sho Madjozi was born on May 9, 1992, in Shirley Village, Elim, Limpopo, to Rosemary Phaweni and Marc Wegerif, who ran an NGO assisting with land claims. Her mother is African, and her father is European.
After her parents divorced, she was raised primarily by her mother, with her father’s travels exposing her to various African countries, including Tanzania and Senegal.
She attended the International School of Tanganyika in Tanzania and later received a scholarship to study creative writing and African studies at Mount Holyoke College in the US. There, she began writing poems as MayaThePoet, focusing on politics, identity, and race. Returning to South Africa, she pursued a fellowship at the University of South Africa and started writing songs for local artists.
She adopted the stage name Sho Madjozi and gained fame with her collaborations with Okmalumkoolkat on “Ngiyashisa Bhe” and the hit single “Gqi”. In 2017, she made her TV debut in the Mzansi Magic drama series Isithembiso, playing Tsakane Mboweni, a student politician, for the first season.
Career
Sho Madjozi’s music career took off with her debut single “Dumi HiPhone” in April 2017, followed by features on DJ Maphorisa’s “Gqom Wave” and her lead single “Huku” in March 2018. She partnered with Trace Urban South Africa and performed at the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 alongside Beyonce and Jay-Z.
Her debut album, “Limpopo Champions League”, was released in December 2018, accompanied by a short film, “Trickshot”. Madjozi won several awards, including two South African Music Awards and a BET Award for Best New International Act.
She was named one of Forbes’ 30 under 30 creatives and performed on the global music platform COLORS with her viral hit “John Cena”, which caught the attention of Missy Elliott and John Cena himself.
Sho Madjozi appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show and was surprised by John Cena, and she went on to sign with Epic Records in July 2020. Her mixtape “What a Life” was released in November 2020, featuring Makhadzi and Dr Thomas Chauke. In November 2022, she opened for Stromae at Madison Square Garden.
Personal Life
Sho Madjozi’s parents divorced when she was a young child, and she was primarily raised by her mother. She keeps her personal life, including her relationships, private and out of the public eye.
Sho Madjodzi Net Worth
Sho Madjozi, a multi-talented South African artist, has an estimated net worth of approximately $85,600.
