THANDO ZIDE ANNOUNCES UPCOMING DEBUT ALBUM KU NGAWE WITH LEAD UP SINGLE FAKAZELA WITH AMI FAKU
Rising Afro-soul artist Thando Zide today announces her highly anticipated debut album Ku Ngawe, set for release on 26 June 2026. The announcement is accompanied by the lead up single Fakazela, a deeply emotive collaboration with award-winning vocalist and songwriter Ami Faku.
Fakazela — translating directly to “be my witness” — explores the tender and often unspoken love that lives between close friends. The song captures the quiet ache of missed opportunities, where the fear of disrupting a cherished friendship holds two people back from expressing something far deeper. It is a song about the courage it takes to let your heart be seen.
Thando Zide | SUPPLIED
The pairing of Thando Zide and Ami Faku brings together two of South Africa’s most compelling voices in contemporary soul. Their deep-seated chemistry, both as friends and as artists, breathes life into every note of the track — making Fakazela an intimate and unforgettable listening experience, perfectly suited to the colder months ahead.
Ku Ngawe is an 11-track debut album rooted in R&B and soul. Rich, deep, and evocative, the album delivers a sultry winter mood with layered textures and a sound that rewards attentive, deep listening.
Thando arrives in great company. The album features contributions from some of South Africa’s most celebrated songwriters — Msaki, Manana, and Ami Faku — each renowned for their voice, craft, their lyricism, and their deeply intentional approach to music.
Thando Zide | SUPPLIED
Ku Ngawe is an album for open hearts. It is for those who seek music that moves beneath the surface — layered, honest, and alive with feeling.
Fakazela is out now on all major streaming platforms. Ku Ngawe will be released 26 June 2026
Listen to Fakazela and pre-add Ku Ngawe on all music stores now: https://thandozide.lnk.to/all