Up-and-coming South African artist Latitah is set to release his debut album in early 2027, and ahead of this momentous milestone, he plans to release an Afropop single titled Ndimenzeni on 27 October 2026, in collaboration with 047 Records.
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The artist sat down with BONA to reflect on the song, which is inspired by the authentic sound of the Eastern Cape.
Latitah shares the story behind Ndimenzeni
The song is a story about a young man dealing with doubt and hurt while grieving his relationship and suspecting his partner of cheating. He turns to his older brothers for guidance, who encourage calm communication, self-reflection, and resolving the situation peacefully.
Lalitah shared that the song is mainly inspired by the issues, pain, and hurt that transpire in young relationships.
“Ndimenzeni is inspired by the relationship experiences of young people navigating love and dating, where uncertainty and questions about loyalty can lead to heartbreak,” he explains.
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The importance of calm communication
The song carries a unique emphasis on calm communication in resolving the issues faced by the protagonist in the song. The artist noted that the significance behind this aspect of the song lies in the context of the country, with the rising harm against women and femicide.
There is an admirable intention behind validating the emotions that come with being hurt in a relationship without the promotion of inflicting harm against women.
“Through Ndimenzeni, we wanted to speak directly to young men and encourage self-reflection, calm communication, and peaceful conflict resolution.”
The authentic sounds of the Eastern Cape
Coming from the Eastern Cape, Lalitah said carrying the Eastern Cape in his sound is a crucial aspect of artistry.
“My team and I have always wanted me to be a young artist who carries forward the Eastern Cape’s live Afropop and soul sound, where producers play instruments rather than relying on electronic production,” he explained.
“The sound is deeply rooted in our culture and traditions, and we want to create music that feels nostalgic, unique, and memorable while drawing inspiration from artists who helped shape this sound, such as Ringo Madlingozi, Ntando, Thandiswa Mazwai, Nathi and the late Zahara. Their music continues to inspire us as we bring our own identity to this sound.”
Featured image: Supplied
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