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.Matshingana’s feed on her account @mihituwi does not just document her journey of learning Cantonese; she sings, deep-dives into the lyrics and posts workout videos.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.In 2022, she secured a residency at the Rosewood Hong Kong hotel and relocated to East Asia. She is now the resident performer at Frites Macau, where she performs Tuesdays to Fridays.‘God was telling me to learn Chinese’The jazz singer attributes her Cantonese-learning journey to her faith.