Nothando Hlophe

Nothando Hlophe was born on 4 November 1989 and grew up in Manzini and Lobamba.[1][2] Prior to beginning her music career, she worked as a personal assistant at Explicit Design.[1] Hlophe attended St. Andrew's Primary School and St. Mary's Primary School and graduated from Phumelele High School in 2009.[3]

Hlophe began singing as a Sunday school student at Lobamba Christian Fellowship Church.[4][2]

In 2008, she joined the Gospel Challenge as one of four hundred contestants, and finished in seventh place.[1] Later that year, she performed with Redeem Child as an opening act for Joyous Celebration.[1] She then worked as a backing vocalist for Frans Dlamini, Banele Dlamini, and God's Property.[4] Later, she became a member of the musical group Women in Praise, which is operated under the Spirit Music Group.[4][1] As part of Women in Praise, she took part in creating the live album of Women in Praise: Live in Swaziland, including the songs Khulula ugcobo and Sekukaningi.[4] In May 2016, she released her debut solo album Impilo Yami.[4]

In October 2016, she performed at Swazi Gospel Night, with featured gospel artists from all over Eswatini.[4]

She is the vocalist for the gospel band Khululugcobo.[4]

In 2019, she won Female Artist of the Year, Best Gospel Artist, and Song of the Year, for her single Yebo, at the 3rd annual MTN SWAMA Awards.[5] Later that year, she took a hiatus from performing and recording music due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]

She announced her return to performing in February 2022, and performed at The Great Revival at Mbabane Alliance Church in Mbabane on 3 March 2022 alongside Takie Ndou, Sneazy Msomi, Nduduzo Matse, Sbua Noah, Linda Dlamini, and Portia Praise.[5] She announced her third album that year.[6] Hlophe launched her live album that same year at the Soweto Theatre in Soweto, South Africa.[5][7]

She is expected to perform at the MTN iPraise Gospel Music Festival on 29 July 2023 at Mavuso Trade Centre in Manzini.[1]

In September 2019, she became engaged to Prince Majahonkhe Dlamini, son of King Mswati III of Eswatini and his second wife, Inkhosikati LaMotsa.[8] While they were engaged, she gave birth to their son, Prince Alakhiwelivelemaswati Dlamini, on 16 June 2020.[9] Her son is the eighth grandchild of Mswati III. Hlophe and Prince Majahonkhe were officially married on 19 September 2021.[8] She is Prince Majahonkhe's first and senior wife and is known as Inkhosikati LaHlophe.[8]