Ntsiki Mazwai

Nontsikelelo ‘Ntsiki’ Mazwai is a South African poet, musician, author, beadwork artist and social activist whose work challenges convention and gives voice to questions of identity, gender, culture and black consciousness. Born in Pimville, Soweto, she has built a multifaceted creative career that extends far beyond music.

Mazwai first gained recognition through her beadwork label, The House of Mobu, before becoming part of Feel A Sistah, an all-woman spoken-word collective that helped bring poetry to a wider South African audience. She subsequently established herself as a solo artist, developing a distinctive style that blends spoken word with house music, African rhythms and socially conscious storytelling.

Her breakthrough came with uRongo, a track that helped establish her as a distinctive presence in South African music. Her debut album, MaMiya, received a South African Music Award nomination, followed by NDINGUBANI in 2013 and The Masterpiece in 2018. Across her music and poetry, Mazwai explores themes of womanhood, identity, social justice and the complexities of contemporary South African life.

Her creative work also includes Wena, a poetry anthology, and Ntsiki Speaks, a one-woman stage production. Through the MaMa Said Sessions, she created a platform for conversation, performance and mentorship, connecting established artists with emerging creative talent.

Mazwai is also known for her outspoken public commentary. Her willingness to address contentious issues has made her a prominent and sometimes polarising voice in South African public life. Whether through poetry, music or social activism, she has consistently used her platform to question established narratives and encourage debate. In 2026, Mazwai expanded her public role by entering politics as the Land Party's mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, taking her long-standing interest in social issues into the political arena.

An artist who moves between music, literature, cultural expression and activism, Ntsiki Mazwai remains a distinctive figure in South African creative life, committed to using her voice to challenge, provoke and inspire. Ntsiki Mazwai is the younger sister of South African singer Thandiswa Mazwai, the celebrated Afro-soul artist and former lead vocalist of Bongo Maffin. Both sisters grew up in Soweto and have established their own careers in South African music and the arts.