Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 24, 2026

Shandesh

Rakgoale Nelly Machete 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.

Last revised
Jul 24, 2026
Read time
≈ 4 min
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Citations
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Source
Wikipedia ↗
Shandesh
Born
Rakgoale Nelly Machete

(2004-01-25) 25 January 2004
Ga-Modjadji, Mohlabaneng, Limpopo, South Africa
OccupationSinger
Years active2018–present
Musical career
OriginSolomondale, Limpopo
GenresLekompo
InstrumentVocals
Labels
  • 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

Awards and nominations received by Shandesh
Award Yeara Category Recipient(s) or nominee(s) Result Ref.
Metro FM Music Awards 2026 Best New Artist Shandesh Nominated 8
Song of the Year "Sdudla or Slender" (with Mvzzle) Nominated
Best Female Artist Shandesh Won 9
Best Lekompo "Sdudla or Slender" (with Mvzzle) Nominated 8

Discography

Extended plays

  • Mphoentle (2022)
  • Versatile (2024)

Charted singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
SA
6
"Sdudla or Slender" (with Mvzzle) 2025 2 RiSA: Platinum7 Non-album single
"Di Chopper" (with Mvzzle, featuring Abi wa Mampela and Naleboy Young King) 5 Non-album single
"Ga Mmapula" (featuring Hitboss) 32 RiSA: Gold7 Non-album single
"Warning" (featuring Shebeshxt, King Salah and KayCherlow) 14 Non-album single
"Mamenemene" (with DJ Janisto and King Salah) 39 Non-album single
"Passport" (with Mvzzle) 36 Non-album single
"Tshwara Tlhogo" (featuring Abi wa Mampela and Hitboss SA) 57 Non-album single

As guest artist

List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
SA
6
"Shapa Bell" (Naleboy Young King featuring Shandesh and King WaveMusiq) 2025 34 Non-album single

Note

  1. Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.
References

References

  1. 🥺🥂❤️ I'm grateful for another year that God has bestowed upon me. Happy birthday Shandy Mama 🥳, Shandesh, 25 January 2026, retrieved 23 February 2026 – via Facebook{{citation}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  2. "12 Questions with | Shandesh". 12 Questions with. 22 February 2025. Event occurs at 00:31. YouTube. Archived from the original on 6 June 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.{{cite episode}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. Seemela, Masego (27 February 2025). "Limpopo's New Dance Queen Shandesh Ready to Push Genre-fluid Lekompo". The Sowetan. Culture. Retrieved 22 May 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  4. Mphoshomane, Unarine (28 March 2025). "Shandesh making big waves". SNL24. Daily Sun. Retrieved 22 May 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. Matlala, Keamogetswe (23 April 2025). "'I see Lekompo going global' – Shandesh rises to stardom like Di Chopper". News24. DRUM. Retrieved 22 May 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. Peak chart positions in South Africa:
  7. Booi, Silindokuhle. "New Singer on the Block, Shandesh Makes Her Way Up". Bona. Retrieved 22 May 2025.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  8. Seemela, Masego (27 February 2026). "Full List | Jazzwrld & Thukuthela Lead 2026 Metro FM Music Awards Nominations". The Sowetan. Archived from the original on 27 April 2026. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  9. "Ciza, Shandesh and Ihhashi Elimhlophe Steal the Spotlight at 2026 Metro FM Music Awards". Independent Online. 26 April 2026. Archived from the original on 27 April 2026. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
External links