MAKHADZI| The little “mad girl” gate-crashing parties to dance

AS a child growing up at a village in the far northern part of Limpopo, Makhadzi would gate-crash parties and throw dance moves that left revellers thrilled.

Little did she know that her antics, which did not go down well with her grandmother, were the beginning of a journey that would ultimately set her for an international award – Viewers’ Choice Best New International Act at the 2024 BET Awards in the USA.

Born Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona, Makhadzi became known as that “mad girl” who would attend parties uninvited and thrill revellers with her dance moves.

“People didn’t understand why I was always dancing – they thought I was dancing for a plate of food. My grandmother would be angry on why I went there (to parties) uninvited.

“I was that child in the village who people thought she was not okay for going to parties uninvited and just start dancing,” Makhadzi said at a homecoming celebration in Polokwane this week.

However, she did not stop. At the same time, she showed enthusiasm in athletics, but didn’t pursue the passion.

Her singing talent was noticed at high school where she was selected to perform in a solo soprano competition. She won an award.

“What I’m saying is that I’ve been winning, but God was not rushing me knowing my time will arrive,” she said.

At some stage, Makhadzi went to a nearby shopping complex in Elim where there was a promotional event. She danced on stage and won a top of the range cellphone which she gave to her grandmother.

At a later stage, she hitch-hiked to Polokwane where her talent was further recognised.

“I didn’t even know where Polokwane was. I was told I could hitch-hike there and was under the impression that it was a free transport,” she said.

It was a trip that she eventually found herself in Johannesburg, and the rest is history.