Sister Phumi

Phumi Maduna, better known as Sister Phumi, is a South African singer who helped carve out a place for women in the country's reggae scene. Before establishing herself as a reggae artist, she achieved success in the 1980s as one half of Cheek to Cheek, the popular bubblegum duo she formed with Madoda Malotana.

Following her success in pop music, Maduna took a new musical direction, joining Lucky Dube as a backing vocalist and touring internationally with his band. Her experience working alongside one of Africa's most celebrated reggae artists helped deepen her connection to the genre and inspired her to pursue a solo reggae career.

In 1993, she released Substitute through Gallo Records, establishing herself as one of South Africa's pioneering female reggae recording artists. She followed it with albums including Sweeter Than Ever and Style and Fashion, blending reggae's distinctive rhythms with her own vocal style.

Maduna performed internationally and shared stages with leading reggae musicians, helping bring South African reggae to audiences beyond the country's borders. Her career has spanned several musical styles, but reggae remains central to her identity as an artist.

Known for her distinctive voice, resilience and contribution to a historically male-dominated genre, Sister Phumi has earned her place in the story of South African reggae.