SA: Zahara releases Nyamezela single ahead of fifth album

The song is available for streaming and download on major digital platforms. It marks her first release after signing a global recording deal with Warner Music SA in April.

‘Nyamezela’ (Endure) is Zahara’s non-traditional take on worship music. It was recorded in Johannesburg by her long-time producer Mojalefa ‘Mjakes’ Thebe, who has been instrumental in the singer’s career since her debut album, Loliwe.

“The song explains how I feel,” Zahara said. “It is my heartfelt declaration that I’m going to endure until I see a new world, one where people are filled with love and one that hopefully brings me back to the path of my destiny. I hope it does the same to everybody listening.”

The song follows the overall theme of endurance that runs throughout the album. In an excerpt from an upcoming interview with Music In Africa, Zahara said: “Nqaba Yam is an object that you use as a pillar of strength. It’s like a rock that you lean on when there is turmoil around you. When there is a hurricane around, there is a tree that you hold on to.”

Nqaba Yam is also a raw peek into the singers’ victories and struggles and features a fusion of traditional Afropop sounds and kwaito influences.