Newcomer Ntombemhlophe’s hit single “Mama” achieves platinum success!

Inspired by her deeply personal childhood journey, raised by a father after divorce

Ntombemhlophe joins new label, Asanda Empires after success with Sniper Entertainment

JOHANNESBURG, 12 MAY: Rising star Ntombemhlophe, real name Anitha Nizole Slere (25) is celebrating a major career milestone as her hit single “Mama” officially reaches platinum success, cementing her place as one of South Africa’s most exciting new voices in music.

“Mama,” featuring Tee S Papah, has captured hearts across Africa and beyond with its emotional storytelling, infectious rhythm, and powerful cultural roots. Inspired by the traditional Eastern Cape song “Angalila Umama,” often sung at traditional gatherings, the track blends deep African heritage with modern sounds, creating a unique and unforgettable musical experience.

Written by Ntombemhlophe and Tee S Papah and produced by Anuza SA, “Mama” and released while signed to Sniper Entertainment, has become a viral sensation. The song exploded on TikTok with over 600 000 posts using the sound, while continuing to dominate streaming platforms globally.

In just six months, the song has achieved remarkable numbers:

l 4.7 million YouTube audio streams

l 2.2 million music video views on YouTube

l 2.7 million Spotify streams

l 1.5 million Boomplay streams

l Strong performance on Apple Music and other digital platforms

The success of “Mama” has introduced Ntombemhlophe to international audiences, earning her growing support from listeners outside Africa and positioning her as a global artist to watch.

Known for her energetic performances and fearless creativity, Ntombemhlophe blends Amapiano, Afro House, and Splash music while remaining versatile enough to move across genres effortlessly. Her mission is simple: to create music that spreads joy, unites people from different backgrounds, and keeps audiences dancing.

“The song was inspired by a traditional Xhosa song I grew up loving. Every time there was a family gathering (emigidini). That song touched me deeply from a young age because songs about mothers always felt personal to me, especially since I grew up without mine. I decided to sample the traditional song and turn it into a celebration anthem ,a song people can play while celebrating their milestones and achievements.”

The success of “Mama” follows her debut single “Monate Wa Limpopo” featuring Tribby Wadi Bhoza, which currently sits on over 232 000 Spotify streams. She has also recently secured a collaboration with Venda artist Mukololo, further expanding her musical reach and influence.

As Ntombemhlophe continues to rise, she remains focused on achieving her dream of becoming one of South Africa’s leading global music stars.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

“Mama” has become a platinum success and connected with people across Africa and beyond. What do you think listeners relate to most when they hear the song?

It’s about calling your mother to come and witness your success, to see that everything you prayed for together has finally come true. It’s a moment of pride, joy, and gratitude,saying, “Mama, I finally made it. Ululate for me, Mama.”

Your music is inspired by traditional sounds like “Angalila Umama” while still blending Amapiano, Afro House, and Splash. How important is it for you to preserve African culture through modern music?

You’ve spoken openly about growing up without your mother and being raised by your father. How have those life experiences shaped both the woman and artist you are today?

I grew up without my mom , raised by my dad . Being raised by a father is something I’m grateful for , “I always think like a man” that’s how I was raised. When I have a problem, I have to come up with a solution.  I have some few traumas that I don’t want my future kids to experience because I know the pain.

Growing up without my mom made me stronger, my dad was a hustler he was always at work coming back at night, most of the times I’d stay with relatives, that alone taught me I would never leave my kids with other people bcos of the treatment I got grewing up.

From singing in school choirs and local taverns in the Eastern Cape to becoming one of South Africa’s fastest-rising artists, what moments in your journey made you believe your dreams were truly possible?

The moment I sang at our local church and people started singing along and taking videos was the moment I knew I was born for this.

Your music carries a lot of energy, emotion, and versatility. When you enter the studio, what inspires your creative process and helps you connect so deeply with different genres?

What inspires my creativity process is a good beat and a good producer who can understand my vocals and me personally. If I’m comfortable with who I’m working with the session becomes fruitful. Instruments that touches your heart alone with putting the lyrics are the ones boosting my creativity the most. I have to feel the beat before putting lyrics.

With international attention growing, a planned African tour, and collaborations expanding your reach, what legacy do you hope to create?

I hope to create a legacy of bringing all Africans together through music, I want when my songs play , everyone can dance, laugh , cry together as we are the one. I always get a lot of comments from people calling me “African Mama” that alone made me create more sounds that will bring us together as Africans.

End

About Ntombemhlophe
Ntombemhlophe Slere is a vibrant and determined artist whose journey reflects resilience, passion, and an unbreakable love for music. Born in Embalenhle, Mpumalanga, Ntombemhlophe moved to the Eastern Cape at a young age, where she spent 16 years living in a shack with her family. Despite the hardships, she carries treasured memories from her upbringing and credits those experiences for shaping her strength and character today. At the age of 12, her parents divorced, and her father made the courageous decision to raise Ntombemhlophe and her 3-month-old baby sister on his own. Dedicated to giving his daughters the best opportunities possible, he enrolled them in some of the best schools in town, prioritizing education despite financial challenges. Growing up without her mother left an emotional void in Ntombemhlophe’s life, and the longing for maternal love became one of the emotional inspirations behind her artistry. Although she still grapples with that pain, she continues to hold deep love and respect for her mother. Her passion for music began during primary school choir performances, where her bold and deep voice often placed her in the tenor section, despite being one of the few girls capable of singing those parts. Outside school, she performed traditional songs alongside her cousins at a local tavern called Kwa Ta Mlue, entertaining audiences and building confidence as a young performer. Church events also became an important part of her musical journey after a family friend regularly invited her to sing publicly, providing her with a microphone and a stage that strengthened her belief in her talent. In high school at Bisho High School, Ntombemhlophe continued participating in choir competitions while exploring music recording at the age of 14 through a local home studio. Although those early recordings were never officially released, they introduced her to the realities of the music industry and sharpened her artistic vision. Recognizing the importance of education, she temporarily paused her musical ambitions to focus on academics and later achieved a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies from University Of Johannesburg with distinction. Her return to music came early last year when she signed with Sniper Entertainment, becoming the first female artist to join the label. The signing marked a turning point in her career, allowing her to fully pursue her dream of becoming a world-renowned, award-winning artist. She then changed labels and is currently signed under Asanda Empires. Today, Ntombemhlophe is known for blending Amapiano, Afro House, and Splash music while remaining open to any sound that connects emotionally and energetically with people. She believes music should unite communities, spread happiness, and inspire people to embrace life through dance and celebration. Driven, confident, and ambitious, Ntombemhlophe is building more than a music career, she is building an empire.