South African talented Maskandi musician and songwriter UMfulongashi drops a new debut EP, called “Le KwaMashu.
It is one of Durban’s most legendary townships and the birthplace of numerous Maskandi, Isicathamiya, and Zulu music traditions. So naming a debut EP after it is a deliberate statement of identity and pride rather than a casual creative choice.
UMfulongashi builds the project around a consistent core team. Khayah Donda and Siphosenkosi run through the EP as his primary collaborators – their chemistry clearly established before this release. That shared creative identity gives the EP a unified sound rather than the scattered quality that multi-artist debut projects often carry. The title track with Khayah Donda and Siphosenkosi alone captures the community spirit and infectious Maskandi rhythms the EP is built around.
Shenge Wasehlalankosi – who also appeared on Ama Target’s “Izinkinga Zomjolo” earlier – brings his traditional music credentials to “Wena Wangala.” uMjolisi Gwala adds another traditional voice on “uThando Aluboni” with Sizwe and Siphosenkosi. And iNtandokazi kaMathe rounds out the collaborator list on “Uthandoluhle.” Each feature serves the project’s cultural identity rather than chasing mainstream crossover appeal.
For South African Maskandi fans who follow the genre’s next generation of voices emerging from KwaZulu-Natal, UMfulongashi is a name worth remembering from this moment forward.
Stream the “Le KwaMashu” EP and drop your favourite track in the comments!
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