Rising star Naledi Aphiwe is celebrating a major milestone in her music career — and all of Mzansi is singing along!
The 18-year-old songbird from Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal, recently scooped her first-ever Metro FM Award for Best African Pop Song at the glamorous ceremony held at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga on Saturday, 3 May. The winning song, Romeo and Juliet, is a romantic duet she shares with her boyfriend and fellow artist, Mawelele.
Naledi left the crowd buzzing with excitement as she proudly accepted her award, beaming with happiness and gratitude.
Speaking to Daily Sun, the young star shared how much this moment means to her:
“It means a lot to me. Last year with my song, Ngyabonga I thought was going to win it, but I didn’t win because I was still at school and people did not really notice me. It’s my first Metro FM award and I’m so grateful that there are people who are recognising me at my age,” she said with a smile.
Now, with a shiny Metro FM trophy in hand, Naledi feels her hard work is finally paying off.
“This is big for me. I’m still young, but people are watching, people are listening — and that means the world to me. There are fans even from outside Mzansi who keep track of my journey. I feel blessed and grateful,” she added.
Naledi’s journey in music began in 2022 when she burst onto the scene with her hit Ngyabonga, a heartfelt track that quickly went viral on social media and streaming platforms. Since then, she has released several songs that have touched the hearts of many across the country.
Her powerful voice, emotional lyrics and strong stage presence have made her one of Mzansi’s most exciting new talents — and now, the awards are catching up!
But this is just the beginning. Naledi revealed that she’s working on new music and her fans are in for a treat.
“I’m working on my album right now. Mawelele and I are cooking up something special, but my solo album is coming first. The fans must stay ready!” she teased.
