As you know Choma, we live in a country that is wonderfully diverse with so many different cultures and languages – each of them beautiful in their own way. That’s why it’s so great to see celebrities and icons celebrate their culture and stay true to their roots. Since September is heritage month, I’ve decided to put together a list of my top 5 cultural queens who rock their culture on stage, on TV, on the red carpet and even through their work.

Sho Madjozi

Image via Instagram

You might know Sho Madjozi from her hit song “Dumi Hi Phone” that we’ve all been dancing to lately. What’s great about Sho Madjozi is that she raps in her home language, Tsonga, while wearing her traditional xibelani, the traditional Tsonga skirt. She doesn’t feel the need to change her culture or identity for the music industry so she’s actually embracing it and showing it off. If you didn’t know already, her real name is Maya Wegirif and she grew up in Shirley, Limpopo. She’s also an actress on the Mzansi Magic show ‘Isithembiso’.

Quote: “I think [Tsonga] sounds really dope on rap! And it has never been explored in the way that I am doing now”

Minnie Dlamini

Image via Instagram

Minnie (Minenhle) Dlamini always talks about how much she loves her culture. She was born and raised in Durban, KwaZulu Natal before moving up to Johannesburg to pursue her career as a TV personality. You just have to take a look through Minnie’s Instagram to see how proud she is of her Zulu culture. She stands up for her traditions and is always happy to let us know that no matter where she goes in the world she’ll always be a ‘traditional girl’.

Quote: “My culture is everything to me”.

Nomzamo Mbhatha

Image via Instagram

You might have heard the saying “She wears her heart on her sleeve”, but Nomzamo Mbatha, a Choma Ambassador, wears her love for her Zulu culture on her sleeve – literally. Like Minnie, Nomzamo is also from KwaZulu Natal. She grew up in KwaMashu and has taken her traditional roots with her everywhere – even to the USA. Just recently she took her Zulu culture to the BET awards, wearing that amazing dress you see in the picture above. Her style is called afro-fusion because she puts a modern twist on traditional Africa attire. She’s a true African Queen.

Quote: “Why would I go to America and want to look like an American girl? I am an African girl and I am comfortable in being that girl”

Thandiswa Mazwai

Image via Instagram

Thandiswa Mazwai (aka King Tha’) has always made her culture a big part of her music and her identity. She’s been known for traditional wear everywhere – from the stage to events – and she has been doing so for as long as everyone can remember (do you remember her from Bongo Maffin?). She embraces culture in her songs, even singing about her hometown Transkei, in the Eastern Cape. She is a legend in the South African music industry. You can’t talk about authentic South African music without talking about King Tha! Right?

Quote: “The main reason why I do what I do is to have a conversation with my community and to have a conversation with my generation. For the people who have bought my album and who have listened to my album, what I find is that every time we meet, we have a conversation about our lives as South Africans, about our lives as Black people”

Esther Mahlangu

Esther Mahlangu is an icon Choma. She’s a Queen of art and a South African legend. If you don’t know yet, Esther Mahlangu is a contemporary artist (from Kwamhlanga, Mpumalanga) whose work is known internationally. She’s best known for creating art inspired by Ndebele paintings and culture. One of her best known works that she did recently was designing an Ndelebe-inspired BMW (how amazing is that?) and very recently, her legacy was honored with a tribute painting on a popular street in New York, USA. She’s taken South African culture to the world and deserves to be celebrated for the queen and boss she is!

Quote: “It is my passion to transfer this skill to the generations after me. I want them to learn where it comes from, why the Ndebele people paint their houses and monuments and how we made the paint from our natural resources such as soil. The legacy I want to leave in this world, is the art and crafts that has made me the recognised icon I am today”

What do you think of these cultural queens Choma and who would you say is your favourite cultural queen? Let me know in the comments below.

Also remember that if you need advice or help, you can contact me here on Ask Choma, send me a Facebook Message, a Twitter DM, or a WhatsApp Message (071 172 3657)