South African music is about to witness a powerful new chapter as singers Lwah Ndlunkulu and MaWhoo officially join forces as Zulu Queens, with their highly anticipated joint Maskandi album, Isithembu, set to arrive next Friday, 28 August 2026.
The 14-track project brings together two artists with a strong connection to their roots and promises to celebrate the beauty, energy and richness of Maskandi. The announcement has already created excitement among fans, with the duo giving supporters a closer look at what they have been working on during a major live announcement stream on Facebook and TikTok on Wednesday, 19 August 2026.
During the announcement, Zulu Queens also revealed their new single, Distance, featuring Feza. The song was released on the same day, giving fans an early taste of what they can expect from the upcoming album.
Following the special announcement, Lwah Ndlunkulu took to Instagram to express her gratitude to everyone who supported the duo and attended the event.
“To everyone who showed up at our Special Announcement, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. The love, the energy, the screams, we felt every single bit of it. You made that night unforgettable.
We see you. We appreciate you. We love you. But the journey doesn’t end there. NOW WE WANT TO SEE MORE OF YOU!”
The excitement does not stop with the single. Lwah Ndlunkulu also revealed that fans will have an opportunity to celebrate the album before its official release through two launch events. The Zulu Queens Isithembu album launch will take place on 25 August 2026 in Kempton Park, followed by another launch in Durban, Umhlanga, on 27 August 2026. Fans who want to attend are required to RSVP.
According to The Citizen, MaWhoo also opened up about the deeper meaning behind the collaboration and why Isithembu represents more than simply a music release.
“This is more than an album; it is a movement. Lwah Ndlunkulu and I have always shared a deep love for our heritage, and bringing these incredible artists together, especially Feza and the legends, feels like we are building a bridge between the past and the future of Maskandi.”
Lwah Ndlunkulu echoed that sentiment, describing the project as something created with culture and the people who continue to believe in South African music at its heart.
“This project is for the culture, for the queens, and for everyone who believes in the beauty of our music. Distance is just a taste of the fire we have coming.”
With Distance already out and Isithembu arriving on 28 August, Zulu Queens are clearly only getting started. The duo’s debut promises to bring together heritage, fresh energy and some of Maskandi’s respected voices, making Isithembu one of the projects to watch as the South African music scene heads into the final stretch of August.
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