Limpopo, a South African province renowned for its rich cultural tapestry, continues to be a vibrant hub for diverse languages such as Khelobedu, Sepedi, XiTsonga, and Tshivenda. This linguistic diversity is mirrored in its thriving music scene, where traditional sounds are making a substantial impact. This year, the spotlight has shone brightly on the province’s Tsa Manyalo music, an integral part of the local celebration culture, particularly within Sepedi-speaking communities.

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Tsa Manyalo music, closely associated with Sepedi weddings, has long been a staple at social gatherings. However, its prominence on a broader stage has only recently been acknowledged. As of April this year, Spotify data reveals a significant surge in the popularity of Tsa Manyalo music, with artists like Pleasure Tsa Manyalo and Maredi Maredi gaining substantial traction. This trend highlights the growing recognition and appreciation of Limpopo’s unique musical offerings.

Pleasure Tsa Manyalo and Maredi Maredi, two prominent figures in the Tsa Manyalo genre, have seen remarkable increases in their streaming numbers. Notably, both artists experienced peaks in daily streams on December 25th and 31st, 2023. These peaks coincided with various celebrations, particularly during late afternoon and early evening hours. Millennials have emerged as a key demographic in this growth, with over 46% of listeners for each artist falling into this age group. Gender-wise, Maredi Maredi’s audience is predominantly male (60%), whereas Pleasure Tsa Manyalo enjoys a more balanced listener base, with 56% female and 44% male followers.

Jodie Tabisher, Artist, Label, and Partnerships Manager for South Africa at Spotify, comments, “South Africa’s diversity is visible in the music available on our platform. Beyond songs, there are playlists dedicated to highlighting various artists and music. Limpopo Way is one of them where both Pleasure Tsa Manyalo and Maredi Maredi shine brightly.”

Interestingly, despite the strong cultural ties to Tsa Manyalo music in cities like Polokwane and Mokopane, these locations do not dominate the streaming charts for Pleasure Tsa Manyalo and Maredi Maredi. Instead, Johannesburg and Pretoria lead the streaming statistics, which might be attributed to the significant Sepedi-speaking populations in these urban centres. Cape Town’s unexpected presence in the top five could be linked to the influence of popular media, such as the television soap opera Skeem Saam, which featured Tsa Manyalo music in an episode aired on December 15th, 2023.

Looking ahead, the 2024 wedding season appears poised for a significant boost. With Tsa Manyalo music gaining increased visibility and popularity, it is anticipated that the upcoming season will see a heightened interest in these traditional sounds. The genre’s integration into mainstream platforms and media will likely drive even more engagement, making Tsa Manyalo music a central feature of celebrations across the province.

As Tsa Manyalo continues to rise in prominence, its influence on Limpopo’s music scene and cultural celebrations will undoubtedly expand, further solidifying its place in the province’s vibrant musical landscape.