Rakgoale Nelly Machete (born 24 January 2004) is a
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...
n singer professionally known as Shandesh. She gained recognition in 2018 after the release of her debut single "Lomolo". Her singles "Sdudla or Slender" and "Ga Mmampula" were certified
platinum
Platinum is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol Pt and atomic number 78. It is a density, dense, malleable, ductility, ductile, highly unreactive, precious metal, precious, silverish-white transition metal. Its name origina ...
and gold respectively.
Early life
Born on 24 January 2004, in
Ga-Modjadji, Mohlabaneng, in the
Limpopo province
Limpopo () is the northernmost province of South Africa. It is named after the Limpopo River, which forms the province's western and northern borders. The term Limpopo is derived from Rivombo (Livombo/Lebombo), a group of Tsonga settlers ...
of South Africa and raised in Solomondale, Limpopo,
Rakgoale Nelly Machete is prominently known as Shandesh.
Career
She started her musical journey in
fourth grade
Fourth grade (also 4th Grade or Grade 4) is the fourth year of formal or compulsory education. It is the fourth year of primary school. Children in fourth grade are usually 9–10 years old.
Argentina's equivalent
In Argentina, the minimum age ...
when she joined her church and school
choir
A choir ( ), also known as a chorale or chorus (from Latin ''chorus'', meaning 'a dance in a circle') is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform or in other words ...
. Talking to ''
DRUM
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments. In the Hornbostel–Sachs classification system, it is a membranophone. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a ...
'' magazine, she said that she started recording music professionally when she was in the
eighth grade in 2018,
at the age of 14.
Shandesh gained recognition following the release of her debut single "Lomolo" which scored her gigs in her hometown.
She worked with the likes of
King Monada and
Shebeshxt.
In 2025, with the South African record producer
Mvzzle, she released "Sdudla or Slender" which peaked at number 2 on
the Official South African Charts
The Official South African Charts (TOSAC) is the music industry standard record chart in South Africa launched by RISA for local and international songs. Chart rankings are based on digital sales and online streaming in South Africa through iTun ...
(TOSAC).
That same year, the pair went on to release "Di Chopper" which debuted at number 5 on TOSAC, "Ga Mmapula" peaked at number 32 on week 16.
She received a
commemorative plaque
A commemorative plaque, or simply plaque, or in other places referred to as a historical marker, historic marker, or historic plaque, is a plate of metal, ceramic, stone, wood, or other material, bearing text or an image in relief, or both, ...
of her achievements stating that "Ga Mmapula" was certified
gold
Gold is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol Au (from Latin ) and atomic number 79. In its pure form, it is a brightness, bright, slightly orange-yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal. Chemically, gold is a transition metal ...
and "Sdudla or Slender" was certified platinum in South Africa by the
Recording Industry of South Africa
Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) is a trade association representing the interests of major and independent record labels of South Africa. Located in Randburg, RiSA is responsible for running the annual South African Music Awards (SAMA ...
.
Shandesh is also planning on launching the Rakgoale Foundation, an organisation to help underprivileged kids with food parcels, sanitary towels and school shoes.
Discography
Extended plays
* ''Mphoentle'' (2022)
* ''Versatile'' (2024)
Charted singles
As lead artist
As guest artist
References
External links
*
*
{{authority control
2004 births
Living people
21st-century South African women singers