WeeklySA_AdminCULTURE: Bolobedu princess of song collaborates with fellow award-winning artists to drop “Re Makompo” track today…
By Ngwako Serepe
When the world listens to Candy Tsamandebele, it’s not just music that fills the air, but it’s the pulse of a heritage deeply grounded in the soil of Bolobedu.
Her artistry is proof that the most powerful music doesn’t follow trends; it sets its own rhythm, rooted in the authenticity of culture, language and lived experience.
Tsamandebele’s collaborations aren’t about chasing the latest sound, but about celebrating the continent’s mosaic of stories. Whether writing with Peter Teanet or teaming up with Oskido, DJ Maphorisa, or Black Motion, each partnership is a cultural dialogue, not a market strategy. For her, every track is an act of preservation, evolution and pride.
The award-winning artists return with 071 Nelly The Masterbeat, DJ Sunco and Queen Jenny in the vibrant single “Re Makompo”. Produced by the former, the track dropping today (October 24) is a joyful tribute to Lekompo, a genre rooted in South African tradition and community. More than a song, “Re Makompo” invites everyone to celebrate heritage on the dance floor, blending music with memory, movement, and meaning.
Tsamandebele’s roots run deep. Her musical journey began at home with Khekhapa, a traditional music group, where every drumbeat and dance step was a lesson in history and belonging.
Adorned in beads and traditional attire, her stage presence is not a performance but a living, breathing tribute to her Balobedu lineage. Every note is a thread connecting her to her ancestors, her community, and her audience.
In a nation of many languages, Tsamandebele turns diversity into unity. Her iconic portrayal of a Khelobedu-speaking character in SABC 2’s “Giyani Land of Blood” broke boundaries on national television, while her songs, woven with Khelobedu, Xitsonga, and more, turn language into a bridge, not a barrier. She doesn’t dilute her identity to fit in; she amplifies it, inviting the world to listen, learn, and dance along.
On stages from Polokwane to Johannesburg, Tsamandebele’s performances burst with energy, colour, and the spirit of Bolobedu. Her shows aren’t just concerts but ceremonies, each one a vibrant reminder that culture lives through its music and its people.
Her accolades from the South African Music Awards to the Channel O African Music Video Awards reflect her talent, but her true legacy is less tangible and far more enduring. It’s the pride, the language, and the stories she plants in every listener’s heart. – Fullview
