Songstress Nomfundo Ngcobo graduates

IT WAS triple the celebration for songstress Nomfundo “Moh” Ngcobo on Saturday, 14 May.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the UKZN. Earlier in the same day she was surprised with a brand new car.

“I’d just finished doing my makeup. As I stepped outside I was given the keys for my brand new car. I was so excited and I couldn’t believe it. Unfortunately I’m not allowed to disclose details of the car,” she told Daily Sun.

The day ended with her getting another surprise in the form of a Double Platinum plaque.

This was for her hit song Phakade Lami, which currently has over 9,5 million views on YouTube and over three million streams on Spotify.

She is also Apple Music’s Africa Rising emerging artist.

@Nomfundo_Moh set the #UKZNGrad2022 on fire, declaring soft life to fellow graduates while her song was being played as a surprise in the background.

Sisazophila i-soft life bahlali! ?

Halala @Nomfundo_Moh #UKZNGrad2022 #MyUKZN #MyPride #UKZN #InspiringGreatness #Graduation pic.twitter.com/cTA8rHRLX1

— University of KZN (@UKZN) May 14, 2022

“As I walked across the stage to be capped, my song was playing. This was a surreal moment for me because I worked hard for both this song and my degree. I never thought the academics would support me this way let alone singing along to my song,” said Nomfundo.

Nomfundo, who was born in Ndwedwe, KZN wrote Phakade Lami during the pandemic.

“It’s a very relatable song and I think that is what has made it so successful,” she said.

“It took a lot of sacrifice and determination to finish this degree. It wasn’t easy. I had to juggle between my music and studies and that wasn’t easy. Today I’m happy it all worked out,” said Nomfundo.

She said she will not be going straight to practising social work.

She said: “I’m passionate about helping people. I always try to help whenever I can. However I will not be going straight into formal employment as a social worker. For now I’m going to focus on my music. This is what’s working for me and I believe that’s where I’m most needed right now.

“But my long-term goal is to have my own foundation and I’ll focus on improving the lives of the youth and keeping them out of trouble,” she said.

She encouraged other students to “have dreams and let them drive you to reach greater heights. Ambition resides where there is a dream”.