Multi-award-winning singer-songwriter Bongeziwe Mabandla is stepping into a fresh chapter with his newest single, “Walila,” delivering a track that balances reflection with momentum as it navigates karma, justice, and the long road of emotional recovery.
Key takeaways
- Mabandla’s new single “Walila” arrives as he prepares for the release of his upcoming album, “Ndingubani.”
- The song blends vulnerability and vivid, theatrical storytelling with layered, textured production.
- Although it addresses pain and injustice, he intentionally infuses the writing with humour and a lighter touch.
- His inspiration for “Walila” came suddenly while he was experimenting with a guitar and quickly captured a standout lyric.
- On the album, he explores identity, personal growth, and where he fits—both in life and in belonging.
- After sold-out dates across Europe, he’s set for a South African tour and hopes audiences walk away with hope.
“Walila” balances heaviness with humour
“Walila” lands ahead of “Ndingubani” and spotlights Mabandla’s signature combination of openness, scene-setting narratives, and richly detailed sound. Even with subjects that can feel heavy—like suffering and unfairness—he says he approached the material with levity rather than solemnity.
In conversation, he explained that humour can be crucial during difficult stretches, sharing that he aimed to create something that isn’t overly intense while still feeling unmistakably like him. He described the track as proof that he doesn’t easily surrender to defeat, adding, “I’m very quietly strong.”
He also revealed that the spark for “Walila” came in an unexpected way while he was tinkering with guitar ideas. A line referencing “crying tiny tears” caught his attention right away, and he moved quickly to preserve the concept so it wouldn’t slip away.
He elaborated that songs can appear in different ways and sometimes arrive fast—like this one did—and how it stuck in his mind enough that he saved the audio on his phone to ensure he didn’t lose it. He compared the moment to something memorable that he simply had to hold onto.
Despite its upbeat feel, Mabandla said the emotional message carries depth, rooted in confronting hardship and making it through to the other side. He framed it as more than just hurt—an account of pain that has been faced, eventually opening into bliss and joy.
“Ndingubani” explores identity and belonging
His next project, “Ndingubani,” which translates to “Who am I?”, digs further into themes of identity, growth, and belonging. Mabandla described the album as a reflection of his life path—looking back at the experiences and pivotal moments that shaped the person he has become.
He said belonging is a central theme in this new body of work, positioning the question behind the title as not only “who am I?” but also “who am I becoming and where do I belong?”
Known for emotional honesty and vulnerability, he admitted that opening himself up through music hasn’t always been simple. He explained that it always involves risk, and as someone who feels deeply, he tends to worry more than ever about what he shares and how it may land.
He added that he learned the hard way that not everyone is good, reinforcing how personal the process can be.
Black Alternative influence, international contrasts, and tour hopes
Over time, Mabandla has grown into one of the defining voices associated with Africa’s Black Alternative movement, alongside artists such as Msaki and Blick Bassy. While he hasn’t said he set out to lead any movement, he expressed encouragement at the growing visibility of Black alternative artists across the continent.
He said the main goal is simply to express himself and make music that moves people, and he’s glad to see more Black alternative artists putting out records.
After sold-out performances across Europe, he reflected on what feels different between international crowds and fans back home in Africa. He described European audiences as quieter, focused on experiencing the artist’s world, while African audiences, in his view, want to get on stage and sing along with the song—different approaches that he considers equally beautiful.
As he prepares to launch the “Ndingubani” South African tour, Mabandla said he hopes viewers leave feeling inspired and uplifted. He said the songs are about finding and holding onto hope, with a desire for someone watching his show to feel that sense of optimism.
He also pointed to global platforms such as COLORS as a key factor in helping introduce his music to international listeners, describing it as a surprise to see how far his reach has extended beyond the borders he once imagined. He said it has expanded his dreams and pushed him to want more for his career.
Looking back from his early work to where he is now, Mabandla believes his younger self would feel proud—“super proud and happy”—while also being surprised that everything ended up working out.
