Naledi Aphiwe started the year 2016 with gratitude after being nominated for Best African Duo or Group in R&B alongside Mawelele at the 9th All Africa Music Awards (Afrima), which concluded in Lagos on Sunday, 11 January.
She was up against the likes of Kunmie from Nigeria, Manal from Morocco, to name a few, and the winner and 2024 Grammy Award-nominee, Rema.
Since her rise to fame, Naledi Aphiwe has achieved the unthinkable! At 18, she has gone where many dare to dream. Being nominated against African giants at the 9th All Africa Music Awards (Afrima) is motivation to aim higher and dream even bigger.
“This nomination is an indication of great things to come this year. It shows that hard work will never go unnoticed. Seeing my name next to the likes of international artists means there is a place for me in the world and in other African countries.”
Her story ‘From a township classroom to Global stages’ serves as a testament to the power of talent and perseverance. With a growing discography and an ever-expanding fanbase, Naledi is poised to leave an indelible mark on the music industry.
In 2025, she made remarkable strides, which rewarded her with a Best African Song and Best R&B Song nomination at the Metro FM Music Awards for her hit song “Romeo & Juliet” alongside Mawelele. In 2024, she scooped the Sofn’free Africa Afro Pop Artist of the Year at the Basadi Music Award.
“This year, we work harder, aim higher while doing what we love.”
Her strong personality and musical content have helped Naledi build a very strong and loyal fanbase/social footprint of up to 4.9 Million. With a combined digital reach of 4M+ followers across TikTok and Instagram, Naledi promises to be the next Global Superstar.