Multi-award-winning musician Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona, popularly known as Makhadzi, was involved in a car accident on Wednesday December 31, 2025 while travelling from Limpopo to Johannesburg, where she was scheduled to perform as part of a packed New Year’s Eve gig lineup.
In a statement, Makhadzi Entertainment confirmed that the singer was rushed to hospital in Polokwane, where she remains under medical care. The team said her condition is stable and that she is being closely monitored by doctors.
“Her recovery and well-being remain our top priority,” the statement read, while appealing for privacy for the artist and her family during this time.
Festive season disrupted
The incident comes at the peak of South Africa’s festive and New Year’s gig season, a period when artists criss-cross the country with little downtime. Makhadzi, one of the country’s most in-demand live performers, had several major performances lined up as thousands of fans welcomed 2026.
The crash has once again highlighted the intense pressure artists face during December tours — a conversation already dominating the industry following disruptions caused by arrests and cancellations involving other high-profile performers earlier this festive season.
(See: Who will fill his gigs? Shebeshxt arrested amid packed festive tour dates) https://nowinsa.co.za/2025/who-will-fill-his-gigs-shebeshxt-arrested-amid-packed-festive-tour-dates/)
A giant of SA music
Makhadzi’s hospitalisation has sparked an outpouring of support online from fans, fellow musicians and industry figures. The singer has, year after year, ranked among South Africa’s most streamed artists, cementing her place as a cultural force beyond the stage.
(Read more: Most streamed songs, artists and podcasts in South Africa)
Her team confirmed they will continue managing her official social media platforms while she recovers, and that further updates will be shared through verified channels only.
For the latest verified updates as the story develops, visit the NOWinSA Breaking News Hub
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