After more than 20 years in the music world, Amstel Maboa—born Makwane— is stepping back into the spotlight with a fresh release built for both the dance floor and the soul. His new single, Areyeng, is produced by King Master Chesa and arrives with a clear sense of renewal.
Amstel is also the last active member of the early-2000s gay trio 3Sum, a group that shaped an era and then fragmented. He has carried the memory of breakthrough momentum alongside the personal impact of losing his bandmates, Jeff Moyo and Koyo Bala.
Even through the years when music releases slowed down, Amstel never fully disappeared from the industry. He kept performing, earned recognition for songs including Vulindlela—often referred to as Koko Vula—and expanded his life beyond music by opening a restaurant in Mamelodi, Pretoria.
Quick facts
- Amstel Maboa (nee Makwane) is returning with the new single Areyeng.
- The track is produced by King Master Chesa.
- Amstel is the only surviving active member of the early-2000s gay trio 3Sum.
- He says his most recent official release before this was in 2021.
- Areyeng means “Let’s go” in Sepedi and Setswana.
- He describes the song as an uplifting gospel amapiano track with a message of hope.
Following a stretch of stop-and-start releases and quieter periods, Amstel is now back with an amapiano gospel offering meant to lift listeners. In a conversation with Drum, he revealed that his last official release came out in 2021.
He frames Areyeng as more than a new track—he calls it the opening move in a refreshed chapter. “I was rebuilding myself both personally and creatively,” he said, adding that after stepping back to reflect and rediscover his purpose, the song marks the start of something new.
The title carries its own invitation to move forward. Areyeng translates to “Let’s go” in Sepedi and Setswana.
Musically, Amstel says the single blends feel-good rhythm with a purposeful message. “It’s an uplifting Gospel piano song with a powerful, meaningful message of encouragement,” he explained. He added that it’s the kind of music that gets people dancing while still delivering hope.
He also clarified that even though he remained active on stage, returning to the studio required emotional readiness. For him, performing kept him close to his audience, but releasing new music demanded that he be prepared inside as well as out.
“Music will always be part of me,” he said. “Performing kept me connected to people, but releasing new music required me to be emotionally ready. Losing my bandmates, Jeff and Koyo, changed my life completely. I needed time to find myself, and now I feel stronger, more inspired, and more certain about my voice.”
Amstel continued: “Areyeng represents hope, growth, and the courage to begin again.”
A sound that has evolved
With the comeback, Amstel says his sound has shifted since the 3Sum years. Back then, the group leaned into Afro-pop and energetic, mainstream-friendly tracks, but he now describes his music as more mature while still staying true to who he is.
He says he has fully embraced amapiano and broader African influences that reflect his present-day identity. In his words, the music now carries deeper storytelling while keeping the energy that makes people move.
For many South Africans, 3Sum wasn’t only about charting songs—it was also about visibility. At a time when LGBTQ+ representation was rare in mainstream spaces, the trio openly lived their identity, and in the process they became early pioneers without even realizing the scale of what they were doing.
Amstel looks back on that legacy with pride. “It was bigger than music,” he said. “We were representing people who had very little visibility at the time. We didn’t realise we were making history as the first openly gay group on the African continent. We even made The New York Times by simply being ourselves.”
He added that the impact went beyond attention. “Looking back, I’m proud that we opened doors, challenged stereotypes, and showed that authenticity is powerful.”
After the group’s success, he says the road didn’t get easier. Staying in the industry brought its own set of hurdles, especially the emotional work of rebuilding after the loss of close friends.
Amstel described the biggest challenge as self-reconstruction: “The biggest challenge was rebuilding myself. Losing my best friends affected me emotionally and professionally.” He also noted that the industry was changing quickly, forcing him to adapt while guarding his sense of self. “Those experiences made me stronger and gave me a clearer purpose,” he said.
When it comes to LGBTQ+ progress in entertainment, he believes movement is happening, even if uneven. “There has definitely been progress,” he said. “Today, there is more visibility and more opportunities for LGBTQ+ artists. However, challenges still exist around acceptance and equality. I’m encouraged to see younger artists embracing their identities with confidence.”
What’s next
With Areyeng marking his return, Amstel insists the release is only the start of a bigger plan. He says listeners can expect additional singles, collaborations, live performances, and more energy as he builds toward a larger body of work.
“People can expect more singles, collaborations, live performances, energy, and eventually a full body of work,” he said. “I want this comeback to reflect every chapter of my journey while introducing an exciting new sound.”
Beyond the music itself, Amstel’s goal is for his story to resonate in real life. “I want people to remember me as someone who never gave up,” he said. “Beyond the music, I hope my story inspires others to believe that healing is possible, that authenticity matters, and that your purpose doesn’t end because life becomes difficult.”
