Renowned actress and musician Letoya Makhene released her latest single, Abantu. The song, which delves into the complexities of human behaviour, marks a deeply personal milestone in her musical journey.
Speaking about the inspiration behind Abantu, Letoya, who is also a successful businesswoman and sangoma, shared, “It’s about how people behave, how they can lift you up or tear you down. It specifically speaks of how careless we as people are with our tongues.” The song reflects her own life experiences, particularly the healing she has undergone from past trauma.
In an interview with Daily Sun, Letoya expressed her excitement about returning to the studio to work on a project that is so close to her heart. “Being in the studio and working on what I love most has always been an exciting process. I’m blessed in my life. I’ve consistently been surrounded by the right energies every time I walk into the studio,” she said.
She described the creative process behind Abantu as both intense and magical, noting that the song played a significant role in her healing. “The magic was the healing that it brought me after the trauma I’ve suffered. God gave me a song that literally sped up my healing process. I’m healing from the trauma of the deep abuse I suffered from my past relationship. I haven’t made a full recovery yet but can safely say I like where I am and look forward to where I’m going.”
Letoya also highlighted how Abantu stands out from her previous collaborations and perfectly aligns with the Afro-soul style she has been exploring. “This song aligns with me perfectly. I worked on this Afro-soul song for almost two months,” she said.
For Letoya, music is more than just a passion—it’s a spiritual calling. “Music is my life and soul. I feel so blessed to have been chosen by God and my ancestors to carry such a gem of a gift,” she added, emphasising how music encompasses all her callings and brings her peace and happiness.
Produced by Nkululeko LordJazz Sithole and written and co-produced by multi-award-winning artist and record label owner Ntethe of Ntethe Global Effect, Abantu is poised to be a powerful addition to Letoya’s discography. Reflecting on her collaboration with Ntethe, Letoya described it as a dream come true. “I’ve always had this vision for myself and how I would work with other artists. Ntethe and his team literally aligned with every single one of my plans and vision. They are going places,” she said.
