Naledi Aphiwe Myongwane is a South African singer-songwriter who rose to international fame after her voice was featured on American superstar Chris Brown’s album 11:11. The young artist from Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal, has captured hearts across Africa and beyond with her soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics. Her collaboration with Chris Brown on the track “Shooter” launched her into the spotlight and established her as one of South Africa’s most promising musical talents. Naledi’s journey from a high school student singing in her classroom to an award-winning artist signed to Virgin Music Group represents one of the most remarkable success stories in recent South African entertainment history.
Naledi Aphiwe Wikipedia
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Naledi Aphiwe Myongwane |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | 15 December 2006 |
| Age | 18 years old (as of November 2025) |
| Place of birth | Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Current residence | Inanda, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal |
| Nationality | South African |
| Ethnicity | Zulu |
| Zodiac sign | Sagittarius |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Dark brown |
| Relationship status | Single (as of November 2025) |
| Ex-boyfriend | Manuel Mawelele (Mawelele) |
| Parents | Mother: Lindiwe Mkhize (deceased), Father: Siyanda Mchunu |
| Siblings | Several, including sister Nontokozo Mkhize |
| Alma mater | Khethokuhle Secondary School |
| University | University of Johannesburg (currently enrolled) |
| Profession | Singer-songwriter, social media influencer |
| Record label | Virgin Music Group |
| Net worth | Estimated $100,000 – $200,000 |
Who is Naledi Aphiwe?
Naledi Aphiwe is a South African Afro-pop singer and songwriter from the township of Inanda in KwaZulu-Natal. She gained international recognition in November 2023 when American R&B superstar Chris Brown featured her vocals on his track “Shooter” from his album 11:11. The collaboration came after Chris Brown discovered a video of Naledi singing at her high school and was captivated by her talent.
Her musical journey began in the classrooms of Khethokuhle Secondary School, where videos of her singing went viral on social media. With over 1.4 million Instagram followers and 3.1 million TikTok followers as of 2025, Naledi has become one of South Africa’s most followed young entertainers. Her music blends traditional Afro-pop elements with contemporary sounds, creating a unique style that resonates with audiences across generations.
How old is Naledi Aphiwe? Age and date of birth
Naledi Aphiwe is 18 years old as of November 2025. She was born on 15 December 2006 in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Her zodiac sign is Sagittarius. Despite her young age, Naledi has achieved remarkable success in the music industry and continues to balance her educational pursuits with her burgeoning career.
What is Naledi Aphiwe’s net worth?
As of 2025, Naledi Aphiwe’s net worth is estimated to be between $100,000 and $200,000. Her wealth primarily comes from music royalties, live performances, brand endorsements, and social media partnerships. Her collaboration with Chris Brown on “Shooter” reportedly earns her approximately $3,000 (about R53,000) in royalties, which she will continue to receive for the rest of her life from streaming platforms and music sales.
Income sources
Naledi’s income streams include music streaming royalties from platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, where her songs have garnered millions of plays. She also earns from live performances at festivals and events across South Africa. Her massive social media following has attracted brand partnerships and sponsorship deals. Additionally, her signing with Virgin Music Group in January 2025 has provided her with enhanced financial opportunities and resources for her musical career.
Naledi Aphiwe’s career
Early beginnings
Naledi’s musical talent was discovered while she was still a student at Khethokuhle Secondary School in Inanda. Videos of her singing in her classroom and around the school went viral on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, where her powerful vocals caught the attention of music lovers across South Africa. Her musical journey received significant support from her family, who have deep roots in music. Both of Naledi’s parents are pastors, and she grew up in a Christian home where music played a central role.
Breakthrough with Chris Brown
In 2022, one of Naledi’s singing videos reached American superstar Chris Brown, who was so impressed that he reposted it on his social media accounts. This exposure catapulted Naledi into international awareness. In November 2023, Chris Brown released his album 11:11, which featured the song “Shooter” with Naledi’s vocals. The track became an instant hit, introducing Naledi to a global audience and establishing her as an international artist.
Musical releases and collaborations
Following her breakthrough, Naledi released several singles that have performed well on South African music charts. Her discography includes popular songs such as “Ngiyabonga,” “Waiting For You” featuring Blxckie and LilyFaith, “Romeo & Juliet” featuring Mawelele, “Mina Nawe,” “Ama Love Back” featuring Magalela Omcane, “Kuvela Kuwe,” and “Amen.” Her song “Romeo & Juliet” with Mawelele became particularly successful, winning Best African Pop Song at the 2025 Metro FM Music Awards.
Naledi has collaborated with various South African artists including Murumba Pitch, Emtee, and 25K. Her versatility in blending Afro-pop with other genres has made her a sought-after collaborator in the South African music scene.
Record deal and professional growth
In January 2025, Naledi signed a recording deal with Virgin Music Group, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. This partnership marked a significant milestone in her career, providing her with access to international distribution networks, professional production resources, and marketing support. Virgin Music Group described Naledi as “South Africa’s shining star” known for her “soulful voice, heartfelt lyrics, and undeniable talent.”
Awards and recognition
In 2024, Naledi received her first major award nominations at the Basadi in Music Awards, where she was nominated for Collaboration of the Year and Song of the Year. She won the Soft ‘n Free Pop Artist of the Year award, marking her first major industry recognition. In 2025, she won Best African Pop Song at the Metro FM Music Awards for “Romeo & Juliet” with Mawelele. She also received nominations at the Basadi Music Awards 2025 for Music Video of the Year and Afropop Artist of the Year.
Is Naledi Aphiwe in a relationship?
Naledi Aphiwe is currently single as of November 2025. She previously dated fellow South African musician Manuel Mawelele, professionally known as Mawelele. The couple started talking in 2023 and officially began dating in December after Naledi’s birthday. Mawelele, who is 22 years old, reportedly waited until Naledi turned 18 before pursuing a romantic relationship with her out of respect for her age.
Relationship with Mawelele
Naledi and Mawelele’s relationship became public knowledge in early 2025. The couple collaborated on the romantic duet “Romeo & Juliet,” which became one of the biggest African pop songs of 2025. Their chemistry both on and off stage made them one of South Africa’s favorite celebrity couples. However, in May 2025, reports surfaced that the couple had broken up. Both artists have since focused on their individual careers, though they have maintained professional respect for each other.
Does Naledi Aphiwe have children?
No, Naledi Aphiwe does not have any children. At 18 years old, she is focused on her music career and educational pursuits at the University of Johannesburg, where she is studying Hospitality.
Naledi Aphiwe’s family background
Naledi comes from a musical and religious family in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal. Her mother, Lindiwe Mkhize, passed away approximately two years ago, a loss that Naledi has publicly mourned on social media. Her father is Siyanda Mchunu, also known as Mr. Brown. Both of Naledi’s parents were pastors, and she was raised in a deeply Christian household where faith and music were central to family life.
Naledi has several siblings, including her older sister Nontokozo Mkhize, who is also a talented singer. The two sisters share a close bond and have performed together on numerous occasions. Nontokozo released her debut album “Lindiwe” in January 2025, named in honor of their late mother. Naledi has mentioned having other siblings as well, stating that she comes from a large family.
Naledi Aphiwe’s education
Naledi attended Khethokuhle Secondary School in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal, where her musical talent was first discovered. Despite her rising fame during her final year of high school, she remained committed to her studies. In January 2025, Naledi received her matric results and passed with a Bachelor’s pass, celebrating the achievement on social media with the caption “Beauty with brains.”
Following her matric success, Naledi was accepted to the University of Johannesburg, where she is currently enrolled in a Hospitality Studies program as of 2025. She has expressed her intention to balance her music career with her education, demonstrating maturity and long-term planning despite her young age.
Naledi Aphiwe’s height and weight
Naledi Aphiwe’s exact height and weight have not been publicly disclosed. Based on her public appearances and photos, she appears to be of average height and maintains a healthy physique. The young artist has not shared detailed body measurements publicly, preferring to focus public attention on her music and talent rather than physical attributes.
Fast Facts about Naledi Aphiwe
- Chris Brown Connection: Naledi received an iPhone as a gift from Chris Brown after their collaboration, and she met him in person when she performed at his concert during The 11:11 Tour in 2024.
- Social Media Sensation: She has over 1.4 million Instagram followers and 3.1 million TikTok followers, making her one of South Africa’s most followed young musicians.
- Academic Achievement: Naledi successfully completed her matric with a Bachelor’s pass in 2024 while managing a demanding music career.
- First Song Release: Her debut single “Zojiki Izinto” was released on 14 July 2023, marking the official start of her recording career.
- Religious Background: Naledi is currently studying Ministry alongside her Hospitality degree, honoring her religious upbringing.
- Award Winner: She won her first major award in 2024 at the Basadi in Music Awards for Soft ‘n Free Pop Artist of the Year.
- Multilingual Artist: Naledi sings primarily in isiZulu and English, connecting with both local and international audiences.
- Festival Performer: She has performed at major South African festivals including the Eswatini Biggest Braai Festival and various summer festivals across KwaZulu-Natal.
- Professional Management: Naledi has professional representation and can be contacted for bookings at Bookings@nalediaphiwe.com.
- Streaming Success: Her song “Ngiyabonga” has become one of her most streamed tracks across various platforms, cementing her status as a commercially successful artist.
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Wrapping up
Naledi Aphiwe represents the new generation of South African musicians who are breaking international barriers and putting African talent on the global map. From her humble beginnings singing in her high school classroom to collaborating with Chris Brown and winning prestigious awards, Naledi’s journey is a testament to talent, hard work, and the power of social media. At just 18 years old, with a record deal with Virgin Music Group and a growing discography, Naledi Aphiwe’s future in the music industry looks exceptionally bright. As she continues her studies at the University of Johannesburg while building her music career, fans eagerly anticipate what this talented young artist will achieve next.
References
- Music in Africa. “SA: Naledi Aphiwe joins Virgin Music Group“.
- IOL Entertainment. “Award-winning musician Naledi Aphiwe heads to UJ for hospitality studies“.
- Briefly. “2024 Matric Results: Naledi Aphiwe Celebrates Bachelor’s Pass“.
- OkayAfrica. “Naledi Aphiwe Receives $3,000 For Being Sampled by Chris Brown“.
- Daily Sun. “Young celebrity couple ignores negativity!“.
- Wikipedia. “Naledi Aphiwe“.
Sarah Mitchell – Founder & Editor-in-Chief. With 6 years covering entertainment for outlets like Entertainment Weekly and People, Sarah brings deep industry knowledge and an extensive network of sources. She’s interviewed over 500 celebrities, covered 12 Oscar ceremonies, and has an uncanny ability to spot fake stories from miles away.
