In August 2026, South African music witnessed the official birth of a powerful new duo: Zulu Queens. Award-winning artists Mawhoo (Thandeka Nontobeko Ngema) and Lwah Ndlunkulu (Lwandile Mtshali) joined forces under this moniker to release a collaborative maskandi album titled Isithembu. The project marks a bold step into a traditionally male-dominated genre while celebrating Zulu heritage, sisterhood, and cultural pride.
From studio chemistry to a full collaboration
The partnership grew from genuine chemistry. The two first collaborated on the Afro-pop track Nembeza (sometimes stylised as Unembeza), released in mid-2025. Lwah Ndlunkulu later recalled loving Mawhoo's energy in the studio so much that she immediately wanted more work together: “You'd swear we are siblings, the way we get along.”
Mawhoo echoed the sentiment, emphasising shared energies and connections that made the creative process feel natural. What began as a single idea quickly expanded.
Taking the leap into Maskandi
Mawhoo was initially approached by Leroy Khoza of Inkabi Records about an Afro-pop project. It later evolved into a full maskandi album. She admitted some apprehension – maskandi is deeply rooted in culture and can feel political, and its fans are known for being unfiltered.
Both artists had already tasted success in the genre through collaborations with maskandi star Mthandeni (Mawhoo on Gucci, Lwah on Paris, those tracks earned them the nickname “Isithembu sika Mthandeni”). That prior success, combined with their mutual love of storytelling and Zulu culture, convinced them to proceed. Once in the studio, the energy flowed so freely that a single track was no longer enough.
The meaning behind “Zulu Queens”
The name “Zulu Queens” came from Mthandeni himself. The pair considered several options, including Isithembu (which became the album title). When they remained undecided, Mthandeni suggested Zulu Queens. Both artists embraced it as a statement of identity. Lwah Ndlunkulu explained that it represents pride and rejects the idea of a single way to be a Zulu woman: “Zulu women are not one thing – we are strong, soft, traditional, modern, and ambitions all at once.” Mawhoo added that the name also aims to take maskandi beyond its traditional boundaries and make it more universal.
Overcoming setbacks in the studio
Recording was not without drama. The album was first completed in about a week, only for the original recordings to be lost. The duo and their team returned to the studio and re-recorded everything over two to three weeks. Far from being derailed, they said the second version emerged stronger, still carrying the same positive energy. The project features a mix of generations, including established names such as Izingane Zoma and Mthandeni alongside younger artists like Feza and Siya Ntuli.
Official announcement and release plans
They announced the duo and album at an exclusive event on 18 August 2026 at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, hosted by television personality Ntombee Ngcobo-Mzolo. Dressed in glamorous, modern takes on traditional Zulu attire, they revealed the lead single Distance (featuring Feza), which dropped the following day, with the full album scheduled for 28 August 2026. A documentary about the making of the project was also screened.