“Remember that every obstacle is an opportunity to grow and learn” – a young South African musician follows her passion. By: Tsholofelo Robert Ledwaba

By: Tsholofelo Robert Ledwaba

 A photograph of Palesa Mngomezulu doing her shopping [Supplied]

Palesa Mngomezulu, also known as Pale Moloi, is a 17-year-old student studying at Reasoma Secondary School in Protea North. From a young age, Palesa has always found an interest in writing and acting, but as she grew older, she finally found her voice in the music industry and learnt to enjoy singing, songwriting, including scriptwriting for television.

“One of the toughest times was when my dad and I had to walk seven hours from Protea Glen to Orange Farm due to the inability to afford transportation to take me to school. It was a long and challenging journey, but being with my dad made it more bearable. We have encountered other hardships too such as when my parents’ selling business at school stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it a tough road, but we are getting by” said Palesa Mngomezulu.

Due to singing at a young age and being inspired by music artists such as the late Zahara and DJ Maphorisa, Palesa decided to follow her passion in music as she loves expressing herself through the music she makes and connecting with other individuals through her songs. She is also passionate about creating Amapiano music that resonates with her people as her goal is to invent music that uplifts, inspires, and showcases the beauty of African rhythms, including disseminating a message of hope and reminding people that they are not alone in their everyday life struggles. Thus, she believes that music has the power to heal and bring people together, and through the empowerment she provides for her listeners, Palesa has officially been recognized as one of the best South African young musicians. She has been witnessed multiple times on social media with the likes of MaWhoo, Aymos, Visca, Nkosazana Daughter as she encourages them to hear the message from her voice, including working with fierce artists such as Bongza who has just made a new song with Pale Moloi titled “Izono”. Therefore, not only does Pale Moloi live up to her accomplishments, but she is also teaching many talented individuals out there that the moment you start it, it is the moment you begin to believe that you can do it.

A photograph of Pale Moloi in a studio with Nkosazana Daughter [Supplied]

On 20 July 2025, Pale Moloi was introduced to a music artist, Scott Maphuma, by a producer named Vyno Keys, which reminded the fans of the way the late Amapiano artist, Mpura,  introduced Nkosazana Daughter to DJ Maphorisa, and became a great 

inspiration when she was recorded with Nkosazana Daughter in a studio listening to her song, “Izinyembezi” which is currently filling the South African music charts. 

To such inspiration and motivation, she is setting to the youth and everyone who is proud and looking up to her, Palesa indeed hopes that her music becomes a source of comfort, strength, and sheds light to those who listens to it, and helping them navigate the ups and downs they get to encounter on this universe with confidence and resilience, including encouraging the new generation to know that their dreams are valid and their potential is limitless as they should not give up on what they are passionate about, and always believe in themselves.