At just 20 years old, Mmakubu Phokwane is already making waves in the South African gospel music scene. The Limpopo-born artist clinched the Best AmaZione Artist award at the prestigious Diamond Gospel Music Awards, held in Kimberley this past weekend, firmly announcing her arrival on the national stage.

The University of Limpopo student, who balances her studies with a blossoming music career under Wachumlilo Production, stood tall among seasoned nominees. Her heartfelt acceptance speech touched many in the audience.

“I would like to dedicate this award to my late grandfather for the role that he played in building me into a young God-fearing woman that I am. Special thanks also to my parents for their unwavering support, the community of Dennilton, and everyone that has supported me,” Phokwane said.

The A Bethwe hitmaker’s victory adds to the excitement around the new wave of talent emerging from Wachumlilo Production. Alongside 18-year-old Kago Molefe, Phokwane features in the Wachumlilo Family’s Spirit of Fire collaboration — a project already turning heads in the gospel fraternity. Industry watchers are hailing the duo as a new generation set to ignite the African traditional gospel scene.

Phokwane’s rise has been bolstered by the recent release of her single “Sefapanong”, which is already making waves among gospel listeners and setting the tone for her highly anticipated debut EP currently in the works. Molefe, a two-time South African Music Award nominee at just 18, is also working on his own solo project, further affirming that these young artists are not only collaborators but also individual forces destined for greatness.

Both Phokwane and Molefe will take center stage at Mlilo Turns 20, the anniversary celebration of gospel giants Wacha Mkhukhu Wachumlilo, to be held on 15 November 2025 at the Mzansi Resorts (formerly Morula Sun) in Mabopane. The event dedicated to the elderly and the disabled promises to be a highlight on the gospel calendar, blending the legacy of established icons with the fire of rising stars.

Adding to the anticipation, Wacha Mkhukhu Wachumlilo themselves are in the spotlight this November, with a nomination in the Best African Indigenous Faith Album category at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs). The group will know their fate later in the month, marking a potentially historic moment for the Wachumlilo family as a whole.

From community roots in Dennilton to award-winning recognition and a role in shaping gospel’s future, Mmakubu Kubuza Phokwane is proving that age is no barrier to influence. And with peers like Kago Molefe beside her, the future of African traditional gospel looks brighter — and more fiery — than ever.