# Lwah Ndlunkulu

Lwandile Mtshali, professionally known as Lwah Ndlunkulu or Lwah The Ndlunkulu is a South African singer and songwriter. Born and raised Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal, having signed a record deal with Nkabi Records released her debut single "Ithuba", which became her first biggest song and certified Platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).

## Career

Lwandile Mtshali was born and raised Hluhluwe, she relocated to Johannesburg, Gauteng to her mother's house while she was studying Grade 11 in 2020. She got a job at Hillbrow Radio Station as a radio presenter prior working at a club situated at Maboneng. While she was working at the club she met music producer Celza and invited her to visit Nkabi Records prior signing a record deal. Lwah signed a record deal and made her debut on Big Zulu's single "Umuzi eSandton" which appeared on Ichwane Lenyoka. The song reached number 1 in South Africa . "Home" featuring Sjava was released 2021.
Lwah apperead on a joint album of Nkabi Records Inkabi Nation alongside Xowla, Siya Ntuli, Big Zulu and Mduduzi released 2022.
Lwah gained global prominence after her breakthrough debut single "Ithuba" featuring Siya Ntuli was released August 2022. The song was certified platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).
"Ngiyeza" was released on January 20, 2023. It reached number #2, #4, #5, #9 iTune Charts, Shazam, Apple Music and Spotify respectively within the first week of release. It reached Platinum by Recording Industry of South Africa.
Lwah leads the nominees with 4 nominations for Song of the Year, Afro Pop Artist of the Year, Artist of the Year at 2023 Basadi in Music Awards.
Ndlunkulu announced her debut studio album Imizwa, on November 13, 2023. The album was released on November 24.
Upon its release it debuted number one on Spotify's Top Albums Charts, and amassed two million streams on Spotify, 10 days after its release.

## Singles
### As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
| Title | Year | ZA | Certifications | Album |
| "Home" (featuring Sjava) | 2021 | — | | Non-album single |
| "Ithuba" (featuring Siya Ntuli) | 2022 | — | RiSA: Platinum | Imizwa |
| "Ngiyeza" | 2023 | 1 | RiSA: Platinum | Imizwa |
| "Eyami" | 2023 | — | | Imizwa |
| "Ngikhathazekile" (Bongo Beats, Lwah Ndlunkulu, Khethi) | 2023 | — | | Non-album single |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |||||

### As featured artist

List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
| Title | Year | ZA | Certifications | Album |
| "Paris" (Mthandeni SK featuring Lwah Ndlunkulu) | 2023 | — | RiSA: Multi-Platinum | Non-album single |
| "Umsindo we Nhliziyo" (Xowla featuring Lwah Ndlunkulu) | 2024 | — | | Non-album single |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |||||

## Discography
### Studio albums

* Imizwa (2023)

### Guest appearances

| Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
| "Mushonga" | 2023 | Makhadzi | Mbofholowo |
| "Cela Skhulume" | 2023 | DJ Tira | Malume Way |
| "Ntombo" | 2024 | Blaq Diamond | Zulu Romance |

## Achievements
### Basadi in Music Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2023 | "Ithuba" featuring Siya Ntuli | Song of the Year | Won |
| 2023 | Herself | Afro Pop Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| 2023 | Herself | Artist of the Year | Won |
| 2023 | "Ngiyeza" | Music Video of the Year | Nominated |
| 2024 | Herself | Artist of the Year | Won |
| 2024 | "Eyami" | Afro Pop Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| 2024 | Song of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2024 | "Ngiyathandaza" | Music Video of the Year | Nominated |
| 2024 | "Ngiyeza" | Capasso Most Streamed Song | Won |

### Metro FM Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2024 | Herself | Artist of the Year | Won |
| 2024 | Best Female | Nominated | |
| 2024 | Imizwa | Best African Pop | Nominated |

### South African Hip Hop Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
| 2021 | "Umuzi eSandton" | Song of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2021 | "Umuzi eSandton" | Best Collabo | Nominated | |

### South African Music Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2024 | "Paris" | Motsepe Foundation Record of the Year | Won |
| 2024 | "Ngiyeza" | RAV Music Video of the Year | Nominated |
| 2024 | Imizwa | Newcomer of the Year | Nominated |
| 2024 | Imizwa | Female Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| 2024 | Imizwa | Best Afro Pop Album | Won |

### Urban Music Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2025 | Herself | Artist of the Year | Pending |
| 2025 | Herself | Best Female Act | Pending |
| 2025 | Herself | Best Newcomer | Pending |
| 2025 | Herself | Best Afro Pop Act | Pending |