South African singer Thandeka Ngema, popularly known as Mawhoo, has made headlines once again with another major shake-up in her team. After previously parting ways with her manager and sister, Noxolo Ngema, in 2024 due to personal and professional differences, the two have reconciled and are back to working together. However, while one relationship has been mended, another has been severed—Mawhoo’s personal assistant and makeup artist, Kuhle Plaatjies, has been shown the door.
According to ZiMoja, fans were quick to notice Kuhle’s absence from Mawhoo’s recent public appearances and social media posts. This sparked speculation about what had happened between the two. A close friend revealed that Kuhle was fired due to alleged unprofessional conduct and for failing to maintain professional boundaries in her working relationship with Mawhoo.
“They are not friends; Mawhoo is just really kind, but at the end of the day, she was at work and expected to deliver,” the source told ZiMoja.
Kuhle herself hinted at the fallout but remained vague about the details. “I am not okay; I am trying to be strong, but I am not okay,” she said.
When contacted for comment, Noxolo, who has resumed her role as Mawhoo’s manager, confirmed Kuhle’s departure but refused to elaborate. “She’s no longer with us, but I cannot divulge more. It’s private information,” Noxolo stated.
This latest development comes just months after ZiMoja reported that Mawhoo had fired Noxolo as her manager. The sisters, who were living together in an apartment in northern Johannesburg while Mawhoo waited for her new home to be completed, had a fallout that led to Noxolo being dismissed from her role.
A close friend revealed that the tension had been building for a while. “They were doing just fine and getting along well. Mawhoo is all about empowering her family and getting them to work in her businesses. They fought, she kicked her out of the apartment, and they were no longer working together,” the source said.
The source further claimed that Noxolo became too comfortable in her position and started missing gigs or rejecting bookings that Mawhoo had already agreed to. “They were not on speaking terms… long family drama,” the friend added.
Noxolo, who is also an aspiring singer, previously collaborated with her sister on Impilo, a song featuring Visca and DJ Maphorisa. According to the source, Noxolo’s ambitions of being in the spotlight may have contributed to the fallout.
“That also comes into play when your manager also wants to be a star and then there is competition,” the insider revealed. “Noxolo sometimes behaved more like a star when her duty was to manage the brand, handle bookings, schedules, contracts, and all the administration of making Mawhoo a brand.”
