Want to learn Cantonese? These influencers are sparking a Canto revival on social media
Influencers like Uncle Donnie, Andrew Bui and Mihi Matshingana are connecting a Cantonese-speaking diaspora and inspiring learning
You may have noticed a surge in Cantonese influencers on social media this year. Language teachers have long used digital platforms to increase their student numbers, but these influencers are not there to teach – they simply share their love for Cantonese.
They come from all walks of life, and they are learning and practising with their followers.
One such presence is 35-year-old Mihi Matshingana. In one video, with more than 15,000 likes on Instagram, she bursts onto the screen with a glass of wine and demands, “Why didn’t you guys tell me there’s a Canto version of [George Michael’s] ‘Careless Whisper’?” She then sings the chorus in Cantonese.
Hailing from South Africa, the singer developed her passion for vocal jazz while completing both a music certificate programme and her degree at Stellenbosch University.
She became a respected figure in her hometown music circles, balancing roles as a dedicated music educator alongside high-energy performances on major stages such as the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival.