WeeklySA_AdminRECOGNITION: Rising South African star Ntombemhlophe was honoured with a platinum plaque in Johannesburg as independent label Asanda Empires celebrated the commercial success of her hit single in a night of glamour, emotion and music industry pride…
By Lihle Malinga
South African independent label Asanda Empires rolled out the red carpet in Rosebank this week to honour rising star Ntombemhlophe, whose deeply personal hit single Mama has earned platinum status in a milestone moment for the country’s music industry.
Held at Nonna’s Riviera in Johannesburg, the intimate but stylish plaque handover ceremony brought together artists, music executives and industry stakeholders for a celebration that blended glamour, emotion and recognition of a breakthrough musical success. Guests, dressed in black, arrived to a luxury red-carpet welcome that set the tone for an evening of sophistication and excitement.
As the venue filled with familiar faces from across the entertainment industry, the event became more than a celebration of one hit song — it underscored the growing influence of South Africa’s independent music labels in shaping the next generation of talent.
At the centre of the evening was Asanda Mabengwana, founder and CEO of Asanda Empires, whose quiet but commanding presence reflected the label’s growing ambition in an increasingly competitive music landscape. The ceremony highlighted the label’s confidence in building artists outside traditional mainstream structures while carving out its own distinct identity in South African music.
The entertainment began with a high-energy opening set by Soso Boy Fosho, whose performance warmed up the crowd and showcased the youthful energy and creative hunger that has become synonymous with the Asanda Empires stable.
But the defining moment belonged to Ntombemhlophe. Making a striking entrance in a bright pink gown that contrasted sharply with the evening’s black dress code, the singer commanded attention before delivering a soulful performance of Mama — the song that has propelled her into platinum-selling territory.
In an emotional address, Ntombemhlophe reflected on her journey from humble beginnings in the Eastern Cape to standing before a Johannesburg audience as a platinum-selling artist. Her words resonated with guests as she summed up the milestone in simple but powerful fashion: “Dreams come true.”
Champagne glasses were raised as executives from Asanda Empires delivered heartfelt tributes to the singer’s dedication and artistry before presenting the platinum plaque to applause and visible emotion from guests. The honour marked a major commercial milestone for Mama and another success story for South Africa’s thriving independent music scene.
