Candy Tsamandebele and Nhlanhla Nciza collab on single about women and work

Two multi-award-winning South African music powerhouses, Candy Tsamandebele and the celebrated Mafikizolo icon – Nhlanhla Nciza, have teamed up and released an empowering hit Ekaya, a song penned to highlight the importance of women’s work and contributions in their communities.

Sung in isiZulu and XiTsonga languages, the Afro-soul track, which is steeped in tradition, has been received to positive acclaim by listeners.

Ekaya which means home in Xitsonga was produced by Dr Frank who has previously produced Candy’s hit song, Siku Ne Siku. “I am so excited about releasing Ekaya,” says Candy. “[The song] is about two women who are grounded in family…[and] how they leave their homes for greener pastures in Gauteng, the City of Gold to fend for their families… Ekaya is a beautiful song.”

Mosekedi Candy Mokwena and widely known musically as Candy Tsamandebele, was born into a musical family in the Limpopo Province. Musically colourful as her name suggests, Candy Tsamandebele’s musical career started after she was initiated into her mother’s traditional music group Khekhapa in Bolobedu.

Khekhapa was first created in the region to serve as a platform to teach and instil cultural values – through song and dance. For Khekhapa to come alive, songs were composed with just drums, vocals and choreography to produce rich and distinguished sound that could be identified specifically to the Balobedu people.

Her mother, who was the group leader and the percussionist of the act, made sure Candy Tsamandebele was always presentable with the right attire and matching beads during performances, the tradition which she still carries today.

“Working with Nhlanhla has been nothing but amazing. She came up with the concept of women working together, “she adds.

Nhlanhla is one half of the popular Mafikizolo, is a household name across Africa and its Diaspora. Cue hits such as Khona, NdihambaNawe and Love Potion.

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She says on the collab: “I am so honoured to be part of this beautiful collaboration. Ekaya is a song that highlights the importance of women within the community and the work they do. This includes being able to contribute to the community and wearing that hat of a mother, sister, aunt, over and above being able to take care of their families. This is the essence of the song and to also highlight the importance of collaborating as women. Changing the narrative that women are not supportive of each other.”

On her Instagram page she added one further: “When women work together, magic happens.”

Ekaya is now available across all digital music platforms