Thato 'Sis Maria' Mashifane on losing a job, going viral and music aspirations

TshisaLIVE

In this edition of the TshisaLIVE podcast we chat to TikToker Thato Joseph Mashifane, who hails from Dennilton, Mpumalanga. His character, known as Sis Maria, a feared neighbourhood “witch” who harasses their next door neighbour, has gone viral on social media platforms. TshisaLIVE podcast chats to him about himself, the character and his future plans.
Sis Maria may be a witch online, but Thato has an ancestral calling, and has had to undergo self-initiation. He’s not just a TikToker. His first love is music, and he left school in Grade 11 to pursue a music career. He may soon release a song with “a big amapiano and Afro-pop artist”.
Thato's TikTok account has close to 1-million followers and his videos are shared widely on other social media platforms.
He chats about the inspiration behind the character Sis Maria, a cold and nosy woman who bullies her neighbour: “I have been experiencing bullying from my neighbour, who is also my relative.”
His family does not understand his content, but he says they are supportive: “My mom almost thought I’m going crazy.” TshisaLIVE