Thando Zide Unveils Soul-Stirring New Single “Emandulo” – A Timeless Ode to Ancient Love
Rising South African singer-songwriter Thando Zide returns with a deeply evocative new single, “Emandulo” — a tender and powerful interpretation of the old love adage, “uThando lwethu olwaseMandulo.”
Translated through her signature warmth and vocal depth, “Emandulo” captures the essence of a love so profound it feels ancient — like a truth written long before its time. It is the story of two individuals bound by a connection that feels destined, sacred, and known only to them. In Zide’s hands, this age-old sentiment becomes both intimate and universal, echoing across generations.
Thando Zide | SUPPLIED
Born Thandokazi Phanyaphanya and raised in Soweto, Johannesburg, Thando Zide’s musical journey began long before her own first note. Immersed in a home filled with harmonies and rehearsals by her devoted chorister parents, she inherited a lineage of rich musical tradition that continues to shape her artistry today.
Her formal training at the National School of the Arts in Braamfontein refined her natural gift, where she became an integral member of the school orchestra and choir and later formed an A Cappella group with fellow students. From community concerts to performances at the Joburg Theatre, Zide steadily cultivated a stage presence marked by emotional honesty and vocal precision.
In recent years, her undeniable talent has led to collaborations with celebrated South African artists including Manana, Nduduzo Makhathini, Kelvin Momo, Jabulile Majola and Nomfundo Moh — affirming her growing influence within the contemporary Afro-soul landscape. Her 2023 debut EP, Umvulo, introduced audiences to standout tracks such as “iNtwenhle” and “iLanga Lakho”, while her popular single Ziveze further showcased her evolving sound: rich, emotive, and deeply rooted in the textures of home.
Thando Zide | SUPPLIED
With “Emandulo”, Zide steps even further into her artistic identity. The single blends soulful melodies with heartfelt lyricism, anchored by her unmistakable voice — one that carries both vulnerability and strength. It is a reminder that love, in its purest form, transcends time.
As Thando Zide continues to carve her path in South Africa’s vibrant music scene, with recently headlined and sold out shows in Cape Town, JHB and Durban, PE and EL “Emandulo” stands as both a declaration and an offering: a song for those who have felt a love that feels written in the stars — ancient, aligned, and everlasting.
“Emandulo” is available now on all major streaming platforms: ttps://platoon.lnk.to/TZEmandulo