SA: The Soil teases upcoming album with new member Theo Matshoba

The announcement was made during an exclusive listening session held at the Universal Music Group offices in Johannesburg on 4 October, which was also marked by the official induction of a new member, Theo Matshoba, into the group.

Matshoba expressed her joy at joining The Soil, saying it has always been a personal aspiration. She added that she did not see herself as a replacement for Buhlebendalo Mda, the former member who left to pursue a solo career, but felt at home and in harmony with the group, especially since she had already collaborated with it for a short period in the past.

“When I received the call from Ntsika saying they want me to join them permanently, I was overjoyed,” she said. “I remember I posted on Facebook that they are short of a member, which was me, and that was 11 years ago, and look where I am now.” 

This album will mark The Soil’s first release since 2016 and the group’s debut without Buhle. The group plans to collaborate with other top local artists on the album, although their names are yet to be revealed.

Reflecting on the band’s future without Buhlebendalo, original members, brothers Luphindo Ngxanga and Ntsika Ngxanga, acknowledged that it would not be the same, but they fully support her decision and wished her the best. 

Ntsika stressed the spiritual nature of the album and highlighted the collaborative effort that has gone into its creation.

An interesting aspect of this transition is the group’s decision to remove Buhle’s vocals and lyrics from the new songs to accommodate Matshoba. The decision was explained by Native Rhythms Records boss Sipho Sithole. “The reason why we had to remove Buhlebendalo’s verses from all the songs that are on the album is that we can’t release those songs when the owner of the voice is no longer with the group,” he said.

The Soil has also announced a live show at Gold Reef City in Johannesburg on 3 November.

Video courtesy of SABC News