Sho Madjozi

Born Maya Wegerif in Shirley Village, in former Gazankulu (now part of Limpopo Province), Sho Madjozi grew up in a two-room rondavel. She lights up when recalling her intensely Tsonga childhood. As the third of five children of activist parents, she has fond memories of walking barefoot on red soil – and being immersed in sensory experiences like the tikhomba (initiation ritual for girls) and xiseveseve (rotating friendship parties), where it was the norm to see girls and women wearing xibelani skirts. For Madjozi, donning her colourful xibelani during live performances is more memory-work than a style statement.