Sibibuso Mkhulekelwa Mpungose, a rising star in the South African maskandi scene, carries the legacy of the mighty Khuzani “Khuba” Mpungose, a household name in the country’s music industry. Born and raised in Inkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, Mkhulekelwa attended Sibhakabhaka Combined School, where he was not the spotlight kid but quietly honed his talent in arts and culture programmes, gospel, amahubo, and ingoma kaShemini. As a young boy, he often took part in local talent shows and Zulu cultural events around Inkandla, sharing the stage with other aspiring artists.
It wasn’t until 2017 that Mkhulekelwa took music seriously. Testing his voice through demos sent via WhatsApp, before social media became a major platform, he began shaping his path as a professional artist. He is got an opportunity to perform at community events, including a roadshow with ICORA FM during the June 16 commemoration in 2016. Between 2013 and 2018, he lived in eskhawini before returning to INkandla in 2021, and now resides full-time in Johannesburg, where he enjoys frequent studio sessions and collaboration opportunities with fellow artists.
Mkhulekelwa’s debut EP, Khumbula Ekhaya (2020), earned him the recognition of Khuzani Mpungose, who took him under his wing. He followed up with the 2022 hit Ngeke Ngisole Muntu, a fan favourite that never leaves the stage. In 2025, he released the EP Ake Nibe Amadoda, promoting responsible manhood and speaking out against gender-based violence, a reflection of his commitment to socially conscious music.
While he maintains a strong maskandi style, he avoids vulgar language in his lyrics, even when playfully dissing fellow artists, valuing respect and the culture of the industry. He has worked with notable names and groups such as Luve Dubazane, Sne Ntuli, Jumbo, Dumisani Thango of IZINGANE ZOMA, Mongezi Luthuli, Mzukulu, and renowned poet Siyabonga Mpungose. Some of his career highlights include performing at the iconic Gcwalisa iMabhida concert, All White at People’s Park Durban in 2022, and multiple shows at the Eastern Cape and Marikana.
Mkhulekelwa’s online presence is solid. His tracks have amassed millions of streams, 1.7 million on Spotify, 500,000 for Uyinkathazi, 1.6 million on YouTube, and even collaborations with Mzukulu sitting at 500,000 streams. He’s proof that rural artists are dominating digital spaces, with both old and new tracks making waves on TikTok and other platforms.
Looking ahead, Mkhulekelwa is gearing up to perform at Let’s Dance Basadi this Saturday at Richards Bay, bringing his authentic Zulu sound and vibrant stage energy to fans eager to experience the real spirit of maskandi.
