THE FUSE

Rising South African singer-songwriter Thando Zide is back with a deeply evocative new single, Emandulo. The track is a tender yet powerful take on the age-old love saying, “uThando lwethu olwaseMandulo.” Through her signature warmth and vocal depth, Zide brings this phrase to life, capturing the essence of a love so profound it feels ancient — a connection that seems destined, sacred, and uniquely understood by those who share it. In Emandulo, Zide turns a timeless sentiment into something both intimate and universal, resonating across generations.

OK Mzansi Magazine caught up with Thando Zide to discuss her latest release and what 2026 holds for her.

I am working on an album, and I’m excited to share it with everyone. Moving into bigger venues for performances is another of my goals I want to realise. So more theatre shows hopefully.

This saying reminds me of the power of love. Or at least the power that I’ve given love in my life. It means that love can be a beautiful and powerful thing destined by divinity. This is to try combat the distrust of love and fear of sharing ourselves with others that I see in my generation today. Love is very healing and necessary and I want this message to live on.

I am a hopeless romantic at heart, so writing about the divinity of love and the idea of wooing someone with such a concept is one that I think keeps the whimsical nature of love in our minds. And with all the atrocities happening in the world currently, we need an escape that reminds us of the beauty that does exist.

Love as a subject matter is beautiful to write about, even though everyone has different experiences with love, love itself has different expressions that when written about can be interpreted in many different ways. Meaning almost everyone, if not everyone, will find a way to relate when listening to a song about love, this is made easy since love isn’t a foreign concept to human beings.

Being exposed to many singers from a young age, made me appreciate the difference in tones, vocal ability, style and so on. I am drawn to the uniqueness of someone’s voice and writing style, and that is why I myself enjoy sounding like myself, and being able to mould that into whatever I want it to sound.

Being at NSA exposed me to a number of different creative people. This meant being intrigued by what everyone was listening to and studying, and doing the same, listening and studying different musicians from all around the world. The formal training gave me language and therefore a foundation that now helps me understand the process in my brain a lot better when writing.

You’ve collaborated with artists such as Manana, Nduduzo Makhathini, Kelvin Momo, Jabulile Majola, and Nomfundo Moh. What have those collaborations taught you?

All of these individuals are great at what they do. From Manana, I’ve learnt discipline and the importance of striving for excellence in your music, from Kelvin, I’ve learnt the importance of versatility, from Jabulile, I’ve learnt the importance of intentionality in the small details. I have learnt so much from being in the same rooms with these individuals.

I think Emandulo signals a little bit of confidence in my stylistic approach. It signals growth and a belief in the kind of repertoire I’m building.

Having recently headlined and sold-out shows in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and East London, how has the live stage shaped this new release?

Performing Emandulo live has been a challenge, I will be honest, this has meant going to the drawing board during rehearsals in attempts to find a way that works for this song, that has proven to be different from the others songs in terms of treatment. This is a doable process, it just takes creativity and confidence in one’s capabilities, and I have confidence in my musical director’s ability to do so.

The sound is fuller on Emandulo, the music is given more of a role to play in creating a world for listeners to get lost in for a while.

That one’s experience with love can be whatever it is that they want it to be. If they want to believe that the love they share with someone is divine and destined, they can. I’d like for them to believe again in the whimsical nature of love and be as delusional as they want to be. We’re allowed to do that, at least those that don’t know that they are, I’d like for them to get that release from this song and know that they are allowed to believe again in the delusion of love.

With Emandulo, Thando Zide not only showcases her signature voice but also reminds us all of the beauty and possibility that comes with believing in love’s timeless power.

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