A decade after releasing the album that changed the course of his career, Vusi Nova is preparing to mark the milestone with brand-new music.
The award-winning Afro-soul singer has announced that his new EP, “Here to Stay”, will be released on July 1, coinciding with the 10-year anniversary of his multi-platinum album “Naninina”.
Released in 2016, “Naninina” helped cement Nova’s place among South Africa’s leading voices and produced some of the music that would become synonymous with his name.
The upcoming EP serves as both a celebration of that chapter and a reflection on the journey that followed. The singer describes it as music he has poured his heart and his journey into.
“Celebrating 10 years of ‘Naninina’ means everything to me. That album changed my life and connected me to people in ways I could never imagine.
“‘Here to Stay’ is a celebration of the journey, the supporters who have stayed with me through every chapter and a reminder that I’m still here, still growing and still making music from the heart,” said Nova.
Born Vusumuzi Nongxa in New Brighton, Gqeberha, the singer has built a career defined by emotional storytelling and soulful vocals.
Since breaking through with “Walk Into Light”, which introduced listeners to songs such as “I Would Rather Go Blind”, he has gone on to release a number of successful albums including “Manyan-nyan”, “NguMama”, “Ndikhethiwe”, “Full Circle” and “Promises”.
“Promises” saw him collaborate with Grammy Award-winner Anthony Hamilton, adding another notable achievement to a career that has already earned him multiple awards and industry recognition.
While Nova has remained a familiar presence on South African airwaves for more than a decade, the singer has also demonstrated a willingness to tackle more personal and thought-provoking themes through his work.
In April, he sparked conversation with the music video for his single “When I’m Gone”, which featured a funeral-themed concept that became a talking point online after behind-the-scenes footage began circulating on social media.
At the time, Nova explained that the project was never intended to shock people but rather encourage reflection.
“I wanted to confront something people are often afraid to talk about: death,” he said.
“Instead of fearing death, I wanted this moment to remind us to truly live, to love deeply and to appreciate every breath while we still have it.”
The singer later described watching scenes from his own fictional funeral as an emotional experience.
“It felt like I was watching my life from the outside, seeing the people who matter to me all in one place. It really made me think about what truly matters.”
Those themes of reflection and growth appear to carry into “Here to Stay”, an album that arrives at a significant point in his career.
The release also comes as the “As’phelelanga” singer celebrates another milestone.
This year marks 13 years since the release of “Walk Into Light”, the album that introduced many South Africans to his distinctive Afro-soul sound and laid the foundation for the career that followed.
Beyond the new EP, fans can also look forward to what the singer describes as his first-ever one-man show and solo tour experience.
After more than a decade of hit songs, sold-out performances and industry accolades, Nova’s upcoming project is less about looking back and more about continuing a journey that is still unfolding.
