After a devastating car crash in December 2025 that nearly derailed her career, South African star Makhadzi took a full 10 weeks away from the stage. In that quiet stretch, she focused on writing new material and rebuilding herself—mentally and creatively—before stepping back into the spotlight.
Now she’s returning with a brand-new album called Makgadzi Big 30. The year-long project is built as a tribute to the obstacles she’s faced, while also driving her forward in her push for a Grammy.
During her recovery period, she started recording music that mirrors her healing journey. She made her comeback performance in February at SANDF Armed Forces Day in Thohoyandou, marking her first live show since the accident.
Milestones and the road to Big 30
Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona, 29 and known to millions as Makhadzi, is set to turn 30 in June. She has already collected 15 awards and racked up more than 25 nominations, with major wins including a BET Award for Best New International Act, a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award for Favourite African Star, multiple SAMAs, Metro FM Awards, and Basadi in Music Awards.
For her, the homegrown fame is exciting—but the international push is the real mission. “At home, she’s a star, and at the global stage, she’s coming for more,” is the mindset she’s carrying into her next era.
Her rise began far from red carpets. At just 12 years old, she was performing as a dancer on the dusty streets of Limpopo, moving to the instrumental beats of DJ Call Me.
She later explained how the instrumental tracks became her creative fuel: “I used to listen and dance to DJ Call Me’s instrumental beats, which motivated me because most of them had no vocals, so I would also compose my own songs to his beats.” She added that the day she met him, “we cooked magic,” and that Haka Matorokisi was born—describing it as her breakthrough into the industry. She also pointed to a major connection that helped turn into soundtracks, putting Venda music onto national and international playlists.
Her momentum only grew as songs such as Ghanama and Haka Matorokisi became standouts, along with releases like African Queen 2.0. Those projects helped her secure SAMAs, including Music Video of the Year and Best Traditional Album.
Still, she says awards weren’t the central goal. “I don’t behave as if I’ve arrived,” she said, stressing that she prefers to carry herself like an emerging artist to stay in the game. “I always behave like I’m an upcoming artist… because I’m aiming for a Grammy award.” She framed Big 30 as the way she marks the moment—reflecting on her journey and celebrating her life with “Thirty songs for thirty years.”
The album rollout
- The project is planned as a first stretch of 10 songs.
- An extra track is set to be released in March.
- In June, timed for her birthday and connected to month-long celebrations, the rollout will continue with another set of tracks—bringing the total for that phase to 10 more songs.
- The final phase is scheduled for the festive season releases.
Makgadzi says every song release corresponds to a stage of a journey that hasn’t been smooth. She referenced a period when she wasn’t paid at all, explaining how that kind of pain shaped her future perspective.
She described how her feelings evolved over time: “At first, when someone did me wrong, I got angry because I was still hurting. But now that I’ve grown, I realise I love them so much because they shaped the woman I am.” She added that without those challenges, she wouldn’t be as strong, and without being robbed, she wouldn’t be as wise. “So I choose not to dwell on the wrong they did as they also had a good side,” she said, crediting them for helping “groom” her.
Finding love, leaning on faith
After being single for a year, Makhadzi says she found love. She shared the memory of how it happened while she was buying cabbage from street vendors in Malamulele. “A handsome man said to me in Tsonga, ‘I love you,’ and I said, ‘I love you too,’” she recalled.
She also emphasized that her faith remains central to her life and work. “God doesn’t speak to me directly,” she said. “He uses people to show he exists.” She stressed that the album isn’t only about her—it’s about her journey and “how far he’s brought me,” adding that the journey influences the way she performs.
Stage lessons and advice to fans
Makgadzi talked about her approach to performance and how her background shaped her instincts. “I love music with all of my heart, and it’s no secret that I started from the streets,” she said. Before reaching global platforms, she explained that she used to attend concerts and watch other artists, and that she noticed a pattern: “artists brag on stage because they can now afford expensive clothing and flashy nails,” but “their biggest mistake is that they forget that people paid to see them perform.”
She said she’s determined to give people everything she has. “When I’m on stage, I give my audience everything I have. I want them to leave feeling a different energy.” She added that she doesn’t stop for anything, even if something goes wrong during the show. “So I don’t care if my eyelashes fall off or my earring. I won’t stop; they must not laugh as I’m still performing.”
With Big 30, she also wants to motivate young women. “There are girls who depend on men, and there’s nothing wrong with that,” she said. She described one track as encouragement for girls to hustle, but with care. She also offered playful, practical-style guidance: “Don’t wear long, skinny jeans, wear short skirts. And while at it, don’t trip.” She added that “Tenderpreneurs with money don’t talk much,” and that you’ll “just see them on their walk.”
On her broader philosophy, she said music has no boundaries. “Music knows no gender, race or age,” she explained. “Music is a universal language that combines us regardless of profession. When we’re together during a performance, the aim is to have fun, sing, dance, and become one.”
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