| Birth name | Rakgoale Nelly Machete |
|---|---|
| Birth date | 25 January 2004 (age 22) |
| Birth place | Ga-Modjadji, Mohlabaneng, Limpopo, South Africa |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Origin | Solomondale, Limpopo |
|---|---|
| Genre | Lekompo |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Label | Shandesh Music · Virgin Active |
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]
Awards and nominations
| Award | Year[a] | Category | Recipient(s) or nominee(s) | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro FM Music Awards | 2026 | Best New Artist | Shandesh | [8] | |
| Song of the Year | "Sdudla or Slender" (with Mvzzle) | ||||
| Best Female Artist | Shandesh | [9] | |||
| Best Lekompo | "Sdudla or Slender" (with Mvzzle) | [8] |
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] | |
| "Di Chopper" (with Mvzzle, featuring Abi wa Mampela and Naleboy Young King) | 5 | |||
| "Ga Mmapula" (featuring Hitboss) | 32 | RiSA: Gold[7] | ||
| "Warning" (featuring Shebeshxt, King Salah and KayCherlow) | 14 | |||
| "Mamenemene" (with DJ Janisto and King Salah) | 39 | |||
| "Passport" (with Mvzzle) | 36 | |||
| "Tshwara Tlhogo" (featuring Abi wa Mampela and Hitboss SA) | 57 | |||
| "Ke lekile" (With Thatohatsi & King Salah | _ | The Time Is Now | ||
| "Lengwalo" (with Chillmaster Music & King Salah) | _ | The Time Is Now | ||
| "Ba lwele" (with Master Chuza & Hitboss) | _ | 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 |
Note
- ^ Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.
References
- ^ "🥺🥂❤️ I'm grateful for another year that God has bestowed upon me. Happy birthday Shandy Mama 🥳", Shandesh, 25 January 2026, archived 23 February 2026 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 23 February 2026, – via Facebook
- ^ "12 Questions with | Shandesh". 12 Questions with. YouTube. 22 February 2025. pp. 00:31. Archived 6 June 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ Seemela, Masego (27 February 2025). "Limpopo's New Dance Queen Shandesh Ready to Push Genre-fluid Lekompo". The Sowetan. Culture. Archived 22 May 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ Mphoshomane, Unarine (28 March 2025). "Shandesh making big waves". SNL24. Daily Sun. Archived 22 May 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ Matlala, Keamogetswe (23 April 2025). "'I see Lekompo going global' – Shandesh rises to stardom like Di Chopper". News24. DRUM. Archived 22 May 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ Peak chart positions in South Africa: * "Sdudla or Slender": "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 50 Week 14-2025". The Official South African Charts. Archived 22 May 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 May 2025. * "Di Chopper": "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 50 Week 16-2025". The Official South African Charts. Archived 22 May 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 May 2025. * "Ga Mmapula": "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 50 Week 16-2025". The Official South African Charts. Archived 22 May 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 May 2025. * "Warning": "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 50 Week 22-2025". The Official South African Charts. Archived 16 June 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 June 2025. * "Shapa Bell": "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 50 Week 14-2025". The Official South African Charts. Archived 22 May 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 15 June 2025. * "Mamenemene": "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 50 Week 20-2025". The Official South African Charts. Archived 16 June 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 June 2025. * "Passport": "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 50 Week 30-2025". The Official South African Charts. Archived 7 Aug 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 7 Aug 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 Aug 2025. Retrieved 7 Aug 2025.
- ^ Booi, Silindokuhle. "New Singer on the Block, Shandesh Makes Her Way Up". Bona. Archived 22 May 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ Seemela, Masego (27 February 2026). "Full List | Jazzwrld & Thukuthela Lead 2026 Metro FM Music Awards Nominations". The Sowetan. Archived 27 April 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ^ "Ciza, Shandesh and Ihhashi Elimhlophe Steal the Spotlight at 2026 Metro FM Music Awards". Independent Online. 26 April 2026. Archived 27 April 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 27 April 2026.