Shandesh
Shandesh | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rakgoale Nelly Machete 25 January 2004 Ga-Modjadji, Mohlabaneng, Limpopo, South Africa |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Solomondale, Limpopo |
| Genres | Lekompo |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Labels |
|
Rakgoale Nelly Machete (born 25 January 2004) is a South African singer professionally known as Shandesh. She gained recognition in 2018 after the release of her debut single "Lomolo". Her songs "Ga Mmapula" and "Sdudla or Slender" were certified gold and platinum, respectively, in South Africa.
Early life
Born on 25 January 2004,[1] in Ga-Modjadji, Mohlabaneng, in the Limpopo province of South Africa and raised in Solomondale, Limpopo,[2] Rakgoale Nelly Machete is prominently known as Shandesh.[3]
Career
She started her musical journey in fourth grade when she joined her church and school choir. Talking to DRUM magazine, she said that she started recording music professionally when she was in the eighth grade in 2018,[4] at the age of 14.[5] Shandesh gained recognition following the release of her debut single "Lomolo" which scored her gigs in her hometown.[5] She worked with the likes of King Monada and Shebeshxt.[3]
In 2025, with the South African record producer Mvzzle, she released "Sdudla or Slender" which peaked at number 2 on the Official South African Charts (TOSAC).[6] That same year, the pair went on to release "Di Chopper" which debuted at number 5 on TOSAC, "Ga Mmapula" peaked at number 32 on week 16.[6] She received a commemorative plaque of her achievements stating that "Ga Mmapula" was certified gold and "Sdudla or Slender" was certified platinum in South Africa by the Recording Industry of South Africa.[7]
Shandesh is also planning on launching the Rakgoale Foundation, an organisation to help underprivileged kids with food parcels, sanitary towels and school shoes.[4]
Discography
Extended plays
- Mphoentle (2022)
- Versatile (2024)
Charted singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA [6] | ||||
| "Sdudla or Slender" (with Mvzzle) | 2025 | 2 | RiSA: Platinum[7] | Non-album single |
| "Di Chopper" (with Mvzzle, featuring Abi wa Mampela and Naleboy Young King) | 5 | Non-album single | ||
| "Ga Mmapula" (featuring Hitboss) | 32 | RiSA: Gold[7] | Non-album single | |
| "Warning" (featuring Shebeshxt, King Salah and KayCherlow) | 14 | Non-album single | ||
| "Mamenemene" (with DJ Janisto and King Salah) | 39 | Non-album single | ||
| "Passport" (with Mvzzle) | 36 | Non-album single | ||
| "Tshwara Tlhogo" (featuring Abi wa Mampela and Hitboss SA) | 57 | Non-album single |
As guest artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA [6] | ||||
| "Shapa Bell" (Naleboy Young King featuring Shandesh and King WaveMusiq) | 2025 | 34 | Non-album single |
References
- ^ 🥺🥂❤️ I'm grateful for another year that God has bestowed upon me. Happy birthday Shandy Mama 🥳, Shandesh, 25 January 2026, retrieved 23 February 2026 – via Facebook
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "12 Questions with | Shandesh". 12 Questions with. 22 February 2025. Event occurs at 00:31. YouTube. Archived from the original on 6 June 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
{{cite episode}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ a b Seemela, Masego (27 February 2025). "Limpopo's New Dance Queen Shandesh Ready to Push Genre-fluid Lekompo". The Sowetan. Culture. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ a b Mphoshomane, Unarine (28 March 2025). "Shandesh making big waves". SNL24. Daily Sun. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ a b Matlala, Keamogetswe (23 April 2025). "'I see Lekompo going global' – Shandesh rises to stardom like Di Chopper". News24. DRUM. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ a b c d Peak chart positions in South Africa:
- "Sdudla or Slender": "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 50 Week 14-2025". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - "Di Chopper": "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 50 Week 16-2025". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - "Ga Mmapula": "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 50 Week 16-2025". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - "Warning": "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 50 Week 22-2025". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - "Shapa Bell": "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 50 Week 14-2025". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - "Mamenemene": "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 50 Week 20-2025". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - "Passport": "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 50 Week 30-2025". The Official South African Charts. Archived from the original on 7 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
- "Tshwara Tlhogo": "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 50 Week 30-2025 (New Releases)". The Official South African Charts. Archived from the original on 7 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
- "Sdudla or Slender": "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 50 Week 14-2025". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ a b c Booi, Silindokuhle. "New Singer on the Block, Shandesh Makes Her Way Up". Bona. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)