Kharishma wins Best New Artist at the 2026 Metro FM Music Awards held at the Durban ICC, marking a major milestone in her rise from Limpopo breakout star to national recognition.
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Who is Kharishma, the artist who has just been named Best New Artist at the 2026 Metro FM Music Awards held at the Durban ICC on Saturday night?
Born Melita Mogale, she is a singer and songwriter from Limpopo who has become widely known as the Queen of Lekompo. Her sound blends traditional rhythms with Afrobeat and house influences, placing her among a new wave of artists reshaping regional music into mainstream appeal.She began her creative journey as a dancer before moving into music while in grade 8.
She has said that her interest in singing was influenced by Makhadzi, whose rise showed her what was possible for Limpopo artists.Her breakthrough came in 2023 with the viral hit "Matome", which introduced her to a wider audience and established her presence in South African music charts and digital platforms.
In 2024, she received further recognition at the Limpopo Music Awards, where she won Best Female Artist and Best Lekompo Hit. Her single "Chokeslam" also received significant radio play and was widely regarded as one of the standout songs of the year.That same year, she became the first independent female artist from Limpopo to reach one million listeners and later signed with Virgin Music Group South Africa, expanding her reach beyond independent distribution.
Her music often features lyrics in Molobedu and Motlokwa languages, reflecting her cultural roots and contributing to the identity of her sound.In 2025, she released her debut album "Hear My Testimony Juno", a 14-track project featuring collaborations with Master Chuza and Mack Eaze.
The album strengthened her position as one of the emerging voices in contemporary South African music.Her win at the Metro FM Music Awards marks another step in her growing national recognition and highlights her continued rise in the industry.