Three decades after helping shape the sound of South African kwela music, Kwela Tebza is stepping into a bold new era. Blending nostalgia with cinematic production, township storytelling and modern South African influences, the trio’s latest chapter is rooted in legacy while looking firmly ahead.
For many South Africans, Kwela Tebza’s music represents more than sound, it is a soundtrack to home, identity and celebration. Now, as they mark 30 years in music, the group is reconnecting with audiences through a project that honours their roots while embracing a new creative freedom. Following an intimate listening session that featured deeply personal tributes like “Soweto” to collaborations with emerging talent, Tebogo Lerole reflects on the evolution of KwelaTebza, the emotional significance of this moment and why authenticity remains at the centre of everything they create.
GLAMOUR: Kwela Tebza became one of the defining sounds of South African music during your peak years. What inspired this return to the music scene now?
Tebogo Lerole: Music has always been part of who we are, it never truly left us. Over the years we have continued performing for private gatherings, creating and evolving, but this moment felt right for us to return with intention and purpose. As we celebrate 30 years of Kwela Tebza, we realised there was still a story to tell, not only about where we come from, but about where South African music and culture are heading.
This return is also deeply emotional for us. It’s about honouring our roots, our family legacy, our mother, and the township culture that shaped us. At the same time, it’s about reconnecting with global audiences through music that feels honest, mature and relevant to today.
GLAMOUR: How would you describe this new era of Kwela Tebza compared to the sound fans first fell in love with?
Tebogo: The soul is still the same. Forever Kwela and the Pennywhistle, the storytelling, the emotion and the urban township spirit are still at the centre of everything we do. But sonically, this era is much richer and more layered.
We’ve embraced contemporary South African sounds and modern production while still respecting the authenticity of Kwela music. It feels cinematic, emotional and proudly African. We wanted it to sound timeless, something older fans could connect to nostalgically, while younger audiences experience it as something fresh and exciting.
GLAMOUR: Last week’s intimate listening session gave fans a glimpse into your new direction. What was the energy in the room like for you personally?
Tebogo: It was incredibly special and emotional. Seeing people connect to the music in real time reminded us why we do this. The room was filled with love, nostalgia, excitement and genuine curiosity about what’s next for Kwela Tebza. Seeing family and friends honour us with their presence and celebrate our performance on stage was fulfilling, but most importantly that satisfying feeling seen in the faces of our parents, the smiles and nods of their happiness from within. That was a priceless moment.
For us personally, it felt like a full circle moment. We’ve lived many lives over these 30 years, as artists, activists, brothers, fathers and community leaders, so sharing this chapter with people who have walked the journey with us meant everything.
GLAMOUR: What emotions or message are you hoping listeners take away from the new project?
Tebogo: We want people to feel hope, love, pride, celebration and connection. A lot of the music speaks about identity, celebrating life, home, resilience and remembering where we come from and triumph. There’s also a strong sense of celebration in the project, celebrating our culture, South African excellence and the beauty of evolving without losing yourself. We hope listeners hear authenticity in the music.
GLAMOUR: Your new music seems to blend nostalgia with a fresh, modern sound. How intentional was that balance?
Tebogo: Very intentional. We didn’t want to recreate the past, but we also didn’t want to abandon it. The challenge was finding a way to honour the essence of Kwela Tebza while allowing ourselves to grow creatively.
That balance became the heartbeat of the project. We wanted the music to feel familiar emotionally, but sonically progressive enough to sit comfortably in today’s music landscape.
GLAMOUR: Can you tell us about some of the collaborations on the project, and why those artists felt like the right fit for this chapter?
Tebogo: The collaborations happened very organically. We worked with artists and creatives who genuinely understood the emotion and cultural importance of the music. “Soweto” features a young dynamic songstress by the name of NALA, unearthing new talent in the rarest of places. We will unpack more local and international features as we reveal new music to come.
For us, collaboration is never just about popularity, it’s about energy, storytelling and musical chemistry. We wanted people who could add something meaningful while still respecting the identity of Kwela Tebza. That’s what made these collaborations feel natural and powerful.
GLAMOUR: Are there any unexpected musical influences that shaped this new body of work?
Tebogo: Absolutely. While kwela remains our foundation, we drew inspiration from orchestral arrangements, Maskandi, Kwaito, Amapiano, Soul, Mbaqanga, Marabi, Gospel and even cinematic film scoring. We also found ourselves inspired by everyday South African life, the urban sounds of townships, street culture, family gatherings and community celebrations. Those textures naturally found their way into the music.
GLAMOUR: The South African music landscape has evolved significantly over the years. How has that evolution influenced kwelatebza creatively?
Tebogo: South African music has become incredibly fearless and globally influential. Watching genres like Amapiano and Afro House reshape the world reminded us that authenticity always travels. That evolution encouraged us to be more open creatively while still staying rooted in who we are. It pushed us to experiment more confidently and trust that the South African story can evolve without losing its identity.
GLAMOUR: What do you think today’s younger audiences will discover in Kwela Tebza's music for the first time?
Tebogo: We hope younger audiences discover a deeper appreciation for South African musical heritage and storytelling. A lot of younger listeners may not have grown up with Kwela music, so this becomes an introduction to where some of our musical DNA comes from.
At the same time, we believe they’ll connect to the emotion, rhythm, vibe, style, honesty and craftsmanship in the music because these elements are a universal language.
GLAMOUR: Is there a particular song from the new material that feels especially personal to you?
Tebogo: “Soweto” is definitely one of the most personal songs for us. It’s more than just a song, it’s a tribute to where we come from, to the streets and communities that shaped us, and to the people who carried us through the journey. There’s a lot of emotion attached to it because it reflects both memory and growth. It captures the spirit of home and the journey ahead.
GLAMOUR: Without giving too much away, what are some of the songs or moments fans should really look forward to hearing?
Tebogo: Fans can definitely expect emotional storytelling, unexpected musical moments and powerful live instrumentation. There are songs that celebrate joy and movement, but also moments that feel reflective and deeply personal. We are especially excited for people to experience the fusion of the whistle with modern South African production in ways they probably haven’t heard before.
GLAMOUR: What was the creative process like this time around? Did you approach recording differently compared to your earlier projects?
Tebogo Lerole: Definitely! This time we approached the process with more patience and intention. Earlier in our careers things moved very fast, but now we’re more focused on craftsmanship and emotional detail. Maturity comes with a lot of essence. We spent a lot more time developing concepts, arrangements and sonic textures. We also embraced newer production techniques while still keeping live musicality at the centre of the process.
GLAMOUR: How important was it for you to stay authentic to your roots while still experimenting with new sounds?
Tebogo Lerole: That was probably the most important thing for us. Authenticity is the reason people connected with Kwela Tebza in the first place. Experimentation only works when you still recognise yourself within the music. So every creative decision came back to one question: does this still feel honest to who we are and where we come from?
GLAMOUR: Many fans have grown up with your music. What has their support meant to you during this comeback journey?
Tebogo: It has meant everything. The love and support reminded us that the music truly became part of people’s lives and memories. You are reminded of it when someone in the crowd shouts the name of a song or calls us Ching Ching Pao. Some fans grew up listening to us with their parents, and now they’re introducing the music to their own children. That kind of generational connection is something we never take for granted.
GLAMOUR: Looking back at the legacy of Kwela Tebza, what do you think this new chapter says about your growth as artists and as individuals?
Tebogo: This chapter reflects maturity, resilience and purpose. We’ve grown not only musically, but personally through life experiences, community work and understanding the responsibility that comes with legacy. Today we create from a deeper place. The music carries more perspective, more emotion and more intention than ever before.
GLAMOUR: Beyond the music, what does this comeback represent for you personally?
Tebogo: Personally, it represents gratitude, healing and evolution. It’s a reminder that purpose doesn’t expire and that creativity can continue growing with time. Beyond entertainment, this chapter also connects strongly to the work we do through Mzansi Act Now, using culture, wellness and influence to inspire communities and create meaningful conversations.
This comeback is really about legacy, honouring where we come from while building something meaningful for the next generation.
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