South African singer, songwriter and spiritual storyteller Thulani Malevu steps into the spotlight with his debut project, “Ubizo” (“The Calling”), a work that bridges music and spirit.
The EP reflects a journey of ancestral connection and personal revelation, bringing listeners into a space where melody meets meaning.
To complement the release, Malevu will present “Ubizo the Show” soon, a live experience designed to immerse audiences in the heart of his calling
In 2024, Malevu founded the Thulani Malevu Foundation, an initiative supporting learners at his alma mater, Isizinda Secondary School.
The foundation provides school uniforms and mentorship to young boys and girls, helping them see possibilities beyond their immediate circumstances.
He is also preparing to release his debut memoir, “Indaba Yami – My Story of Remembering”, a reflective account of his life, lessons and spiritual awakening.
“My maternal grandfather, Malevu, was a son of ingoma and umoya – he was a sangoma,” Malevu explained. “It runs in the family, and my calling is a continuation of that lineage. I’ve always sung. The family tells stories of me at three years old, walking around the kraal singing.”
“Music has always been there, but with ‘Ubizo’, the full embodiment of spirit happened. I finally gave myself to authentic obedience and allowed the Spirit to use me. In school, I was always in choirs and drawn to the arts, but this project is where it all aligned.”
Music has been a constant in Malevu’s life, but he realised its true nature as a calling when songs began arriving in silence.
“It was like whispers from beyond. When I sing, I feel myself ascend – it’s an out-of-body experience. That’s when I knew it was no longer just passion. It stopped being about me wanting to sing and became about me needing to obey. When spirit calls, you don’t negotiate. You answer.”
“Ubizo” is described not as a collection of songs but as a sacred body of work. “This EP was birthed in prayer, ritual and surrender,” Malevu said.
“Each track came with its own instruction. Everything unfolded fast and effortlessly. In May 2024, I was in Maboneng, squatting with a friend after exhausting my savings and ideas of what to do next.”
“Then I was invited to a recording session – and everything shifted. Producers and featured artists appeared almost out of nowhere. Recording became my lifeline during those trying times. In the end, I simply had to submit and become a vessel for the words and melodies.”
Malevu’s music is guided by truth rather than trends.
“Truth does not expire,” he said.
“As my sound evolves, it will travel across genres, languages and continents, but its foundation will always remain rooted in spirit. My mission is global, but my anchor is ancestral.”
“Wherever the music goes, the essence will always return to the drum, the chant, and the breath of those who came before me.”
