South African stars

@BabesWodumo / Twitter

Six South African stars who made it big in 2018

Our “South African stars” celebration features some of your faves, some new kids on the block, and an animal that unwittingly fought racism…

South African stars

@BabesWodumo / Twitter

It’s been a year of ups and downs, but 2018 has also seen a lot of our best assets grow and achieve international acclaim for their work over the past 12 months. South African stars are shining brighter than ever before…

We’re taking a look back at the homegrown talents who laughed at the ceilings above their heads and – through a combination of hard work and individual brilliance – smashed through them. These are the real MVPs of the previous year, and they’re a bunch who make us feel #ProudlySouthAfrican.

South African stars who made it big in 2018:

Loyiso Madinga

Loyiso Madinga The Daily Show
(The Daily Show)

The savvy stand-up comedian won our hearts on SA’s Got Talent back in 2015, but his international profile sky-rocketed in January after he was added to The Daily Show’s line-up. Trevor’s got jobs for the boys, it seems!

In his role as an international correspondent, Madinga took on some contentious subject matter relating to Mzansi. A recent skit on land grabs was an absolute delight and exhibited the skills of a man ready for worldwide attention.

Percy Tau

Percy Tau Union saint-gilloise
(Brighton and Hove Albion FC / Official Website)

We class him as an entertainer because, well, have you ever sat down and watched this guy? If Ginger Rogers had a baby with Lionel Messi, you’d get this: The fancy footwork of South Africa’s latest soccer superstar. His dazzling displays helped Mamelodi Sundowns to the PSL title, before opportunity knocked once more for the forward.

He secured a multi-million rand move to Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion in July, and they decided to test his mettle by loaning him to Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise. He’s flourished in the European environment, chalking up a hat-full of assists and a few goals along the way. One way or another, Tau will be playing at the very highest level soon enough.

Babes Wodumo

Babes Wodumo
(Twitter / Babes Wodumo)

Look, there were plenty of South African stars we could have picked from the Black Panther soundtrack, but we opted for Wodumo. A household name on the Mzansi music scene, her appearance on the Kendrick Lamar-produced Redemption track heralded a huge victory for “Gqom” music, too.

Described as “African EDM”, Babes has been one of the most influential artists in this genre. The fact that she took it to one of the biggest stages – for one of the biggest movies ever produced – means that 2018 belongs to her.

Kwesta

#2018sahha kwesta
Twitter / Kwesta

He ended the year strongly after being named as MTV Base’s best South African hip-hop artist, before securing himself a collaboration with Rick Ross. His stock has been steadily rising for years, but Kwesta is now turning heads across the planet. Whenever he’s got bars to spit, people listen.

Oh, and did you see what he took home from the South African Hip-Hop Awards this year? Yeah, nobody can hold a candle to K1 God right now…

  • Best Collab, for “Spirit” featuring Wale.
  • Best Digital Sales, for “Spirit” featuring Wale.
  • MVP Award.
  • Best Video, for “Spirit” featuring Wale.
  • Hustler of the Year.
  • Song of the Year, for “Spirit” featuring Wale.

Thick Leeyonce

We stand with Thick Leeyonce: Twitter trolls remain the lowest form of life
(Twitter / @ThickLeeyonce)

The slay queen we all needed in 2018 has gone from strength to strength over the last 12 months. After going viral in September 2017 for putting down a fat-shamer, Leeyonce built on her brand in superb fashion.

She was booked for numerous international fashion campaigns – as well as being asked to front the recent #StripForLittleMix movement – and the photographer / plus-size model has been blessing the timeline with some fire pics of her journey towards international recognition while delivering a host of inspiring messages about body positivity.

Clifton the Sheep

(Twitter screenshot)

We end our list of South African stars with an unwitting one. You did not die in vain, my bru: A ritual sacrifice on Clifton Beach elevated one “lamb to the slaughter” to a level of fame truly impossible to reach in his mortal life.

As scores of protesters launched their demonstrations against the alleged racist eviction of beach-goers earlier in the week, the Gods were offered something to show that the stretch of shore had been “reclaimed” by people of colour.

Clifton’s killing wobbled a few heads on social media – just wait until they hear what happens inside an abattoir – but he became the symbol of a movement that stood up to injustice. It’s true what they say: You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. Our sheepish friend went out a legend, and for that, we thank him.