Batsogile Lovederia "Rebecca" Malope (born June 30, 1968[1]) is a South African gospel singer.

[4] In 2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa honoured her with the Order of Ikhamanga (OIS), for her distinguished contribution to South African music.

Later, as a teen, she joined a gospel group which eventually led her to Johannesburg, where she was brought to the attention of producer Sizwe Zakho.

At the age of 16 she and her sister Cynthia left their home township of KaNyamazane, near Nelspruit, and hiked 400 km (250 mi) to Evaton, and then finally reached Johannesburg.

In 1985, Malope entered the Shell Road to Fame television contest with the band she was with, but they were eliminated in the first round of the competition.

Zako felt that with his guidance Malope could win the Shell Road to Fame where she was to enter the competition as a solo artist.

In 1987, Malope did so and won Shell Road to Fame in the category of Female Vocalist with the gospel song "Shine On", dedicated to political unrest during Apartheid in South Africa.

Sizwe Zako convinced the executives at MFM to include one gospel song on Malope's debut album Sthembile Kuwe.

The title track "Buyani" was dedicated to individuals she viewed as struggle heroes, particularly Nelson Mandela who was released from Robben Island prison the same year.

The album achieved double platinum status and Malope won Best Female Vocalist at the OKTV Awards, beating Brenda Fassie.

Malope won the Coca-Cola Full Blast Music Show Best Established Local Artist award with a record of 10 million votes by listeners.