Maskandi artist Mzukulu closes his five-track EP “Ubumina” with “Isesheli,” a nearly five-minute Zulu song featuring award-winning OmaThwala.
The EP runs “Ubumina,” “Uthwele ngami,” “Akumele,” “Ngaphakathi,” and then “Isesheli” as the final track. That placement gives it the job of a goodbye. So the song closes the project on a note of heartbreak and caution.
Mzukulu, who is also credited as Dumisani Sfanele Zulu, wrote and composed it. BAQAZILE ENTERTAINMENT backed the release. Afromag notes that the production is clean and leaves room for acoustic instruments and voices, which fits the Maskandi tradition of letting guitar and storytelling lead. OmaThwala is also there with some clear vocal support and his verse fits into Mzukulu’s lead without stealing the show.
The runtime of four minutes and 57 seconds gives the story room to unfold, and the pace lets each line settle. Maskandi fans value that patience. Mzukulu has a reputation for mixing traditional South African sounds with modern touches, and songs like this show how that blend can stay emotional without losing its cultural roots. Fans of traditional music had waited a long time for new work from him, so a full EP carries extra weight.
For listeners who like Zulu storytelling with a bit of heartbreak, this one is worth hearing in its EP context.
Follow the suitor’s story in “Isesheli” and tell us – would you have believed him?
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