Vuyelwa Gladys Mapitlula was born and bred in Bolobedu at Mapitlula Village outside Tzaneen. She is married to Mr Mhlongo from Mavele Village but they are staying at Musiphani Village under N’wamitwa Traditional Authority.
This dynamic Tsonga diva left her mark on South African showbiz for almost three decades. In 1988, Vuyelwa Gladys Mapitlula accompanied the late superstar Peta Teanet on his trip to Gauteng (Johannesburg) for his first album. A talented young woman, she was discovered by the late Teanet when she sang in the church choir. She was an energetic, dedicated, hardworking and passionate girl. She was already acting, although she claimed to be a little shy.
in 1987, she was invited by the late Peta Teanet himself to join his music group. The late Peta Teanet’s invitation awakened her serious talent and she decided to pursue her passion in the music industry.
Her first solo album was released in 1989. The album was produced by the late Peta Teanet and sold more than fifty thousand (50,000) copies. This was the start of Vuyelwa as a solo artist, her big breakthrough as she never cared about the background.
Vuyelwa may be a shining star in the music industry, but she is passionate about new musicians: “I want Xitsonga disco music to reach a higher dimension as it did in the nineties,” she says with pride.
Her best experience in her 31 years in the music industry was being awarded a platinum record in 1990. As a businesswoman, Vuyelwa admires Yvonne Chaka Chaka for her pride and self-confidence as an African woman and successful musician.
The shocking death of Peta Teanet in 1996 prompted her to start a record label VGM RECORDS. Since then she has recorded and mentored a number of other successful young artists. In early 2020, she collaborated with an up-and-coming local musician named Doc Oumega on two single tracks.
Vuyelwa returned in 2014 with a banger album titled “Antonio”, which was mixed with a new sound. The album featured songs like Cina Maseve which started a huge trend. In 2015, an album titled “Yisukile” was released and luckily it was nominated at the MLFM Xitsonga Music Awards as Xitsonga Best Disco Song of the Year 2015 and she won the award. This was followed by another album titled “Marhandi” in 2017 and Gelegele was the most popular song from her 2017 album.
In 2019, Tsonga Diva (Vuyelwa) came back with another album titled “Mahluva” and was nominated for Best Xitsonga Disco at the MLFM Xitsonga Music Awards.
Vuyelwa is inspired by her fans, which gives her the courage to not let her fans down: “I am where I am because of the support of my fans, I am nothing without my fans”.
She beams and insists that education is the key to success. Vuyelwa has worked with various radio stations in South Africa.
Vuyelwa has worked with key figures in the Xitsonga music industry such as the late Peta Teanet, General Muzka, Kanda Bongo Man (DRC), Benny Mayengani, the late Malo abotsheba, Pensele, the late Ntombi Marhumbini, Daniel Brothers and Cool B to name a few.
The Tsonga Diva has also produced and marketed Alliya Munguambi, Vuyelwa kids Ma Obie and Xikhongolotani.
Some of the Awards won:
* 2006 MLFM best female Xitsonga artiste of the year.
* 2007 MLFM best female Xitsonga artist of the year.
* 2008 MLFM Best Female Xitsonga Artist of the Year.
* 2008 MLFM Female Artist of the Year.
* 2008 Sekgosese Fm Recognition Award.
* 2015 MLFM Best Xitsonga Disco Artist of the Year.
