South African singer-songwriter Bongeziwe Mabandla releases Yalwa (*Knighted), the first single from his forthcoming album. Rooted in ancestry, family, and cultural identity, Yalwa explores the honour and burden of legacy, offering a message of hope to generations still to come.
The song was written after Bongeziwe was commissioned to write a separate piece for the television series Shaka iLembe, an experience that led him to spend time deeply immersed in the story. He was particularly moved by Shaka’s relationship with his mother and the role she played in shaping his destiny.
“That connection prompted me to reflect on my own mother — the many times she fought my battles and helped shape the man I have become,” says Bongeziwe.
At its core, Yalwa speaks to “the one we have been waiting for” someone born to fulfil a legacy, while carrying the weight and responsibility that legacy demands. The song explores inheritance not only as destiny, but as a call to consciousness, resilience, and purpose.
The accompanying visuals deepen this narrative. Shot in the Eastern Cape, where Bongeziwe’s family history begins, the visual places motherhood at the centre of the story. Here, the mother is the hero -the fighter- reflecting the realities of Bongeziwe’s own lineage and the women who raised generations through sacrifice and strength.
Through Yalwa, Bongeziwe celebrates his family unit and honours the women before him: his mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose stories continue to shape who he is today. The song invites listeners to reflect on their own lineage, their families, and the places they come from, while expressing pride in Xhosa culture and heritage.
Yalwa (Knighted) is the opening chapter of Bongeziwe’s 5th studio album, setting the emotional and thematic foundation for what follows.
About the Creative Directors
Chloe Andrea Welgemoed – Art Director & Stylist
Chloe Andrea Welgemoed is known for her maximalist aesthetic, instinct for texture and symbolism, and her ability to merge heritage with the contemporary.
Chris Saunders – Director
Based between Paris and Johannesburg, Chris Saunders brings an eye shaped by photography, filmmaking, and creative direction. His images are recognised for their textural depth, emotional realism, and compositional clarity, capturing both the physical and spiritual presence of his subjects.
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Website: https://bongeziwe.com
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Press release courtesy of Black Major
