Mawelele has unveiled his highly anticipated 16-song album, PGLMT, short for Pretty Girls Listen to Mawelele, with a glamorous launch event in Sandton.
The singer celebrated the release at an exclusive, star-filled gathering at Kora on Thursday night. The intimate occasion drew prominent figures from the music business, including Naledi Aphiwe, Donald and Aubrey Qwana.
Several of the project’s featured artists — Nomfundo Moh, Danya Devs, Tony Dayimane, Empro and Usimamene — joined Mawelele onstage to perform for guests during a first listen to the album. The new body of work moves between soulful R&B and Afro-pop, following love through its many different phases.
Speaking openly at the event, Mawelele described the record as a deeply personal release and said he was deliberate about choosing collaborators whose contributions felt authentic.
“When it came to the features and the artists I chose for this album, I didn’t want any track to feel forced,” he said. “I wanted to give people my best, and that is what I did. I had other songs with other people, but I picked these ones because they felt right for this moment.”
He said the album took close to a year to create, during which he poured his emotions, recovery and personal truth into every song. “At its heart, it is about love, reassurance, forgiveness and second chances. With PGLTM, I wanted love to feel cool again — to return it to something pure, purposeful and gentle in a world that can be so tough. I want listeners to surround themselves and the people they love with grace and love, and to feel recognised and comforted when they hear it.”
Although the album’s name suggests that “pretty girls” are Mawelele’s audience, the performer stressed that beauty belongs to every woman.
“Being pretty means being yourself. Every girl who listens to Mawelele should love herself — whether you are dark, light, short, tall, thick or thin. Love yourself. This album is for you; it is for the pretty girls.”
Mawelele also reflected on his faith and the road that led him to this point in his career. “I am thankful to my Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. I believe everything happens at the right time. I am grateful that I was chosen to shine. There are many talented people, but God chose me. I have been singing for a long time and trying to get recognised since 2020.”
To celebrate the album, Mawelele is preparing for his first live tour in South Africa. He will take PGLTM to Durban and Johannesburg in December, before expanding the tour to other parts of the country over Valentine’s weekend in 2027.
“I am bringing good music and R&B, so people can expect an amazing live experience when I go on tour,” he said.
