South African musician Makhadzi (Pictures via Instagram- @makhadzisa )

While she came back clutching a BET Award gong in her hand after she triumphed at the awards ceremony held on Sunday, South African musician Makhadzi has revealed that getting to Los Angeles had been a challenge, as she had to borrow money from loan sharks just for her to afford her plane tickets.

Makhadzi won the prestigious Viewers’ Choice: Best New International Act award on Sunday, earning praise from South Africans as she continues her ascent in the world of music.

However, on her return, Makhadzi, admitted that she was broke and had to borrow money to attend the award ceremony.

Makhadzi is still paying off a debt she owes to the South African Revenue Services (SARS).

“It is not a secret, I was in the newspapers whatever, I think, last year somewhere. I don’t know who sold me out because I feel like these SARS things—it’s like someone goes to spice you to tarnish you,” she said on her return to Mzansi.

In December 2023, Sunday World reported that the award-winning songbird’s multi-million rand tax bill has been drastically reduced by a whopping 60%, hardly a month after she unleashed tax consultants on SARS to challenge the taxman.

The Matorokisi hitmaker was slapped with a staggering R6.6 million tax bill by SARS early in 2023.

Makhadzi said most of the money she made from shows went directly to servicing her debt.

“So, I end up not having money for myself. For me to come here I had to go to mashonisa to get a get a loan because this month end, no matter if there is a BET, I have to pay.

“I had to borrow money to afford business class because besides everything, I must be the superstar that I am.”

Despite this, Makhadzi also said she was optimistic that her career was on an upward trajectory, with a victory at the prestigious Grammys also on her bucket list. As a BET award winner, she said the price for booking her was also going up.

“I deserved this, I worked hard for this. I’m here today because of the hard work I put in. I used to perform in taverns, but because I’ve always believed in myself and loved my craft, I’m here with support of my fans,” she said.

“Now my price is going up. They must watch out. We are going for a Grammy next!