An Afro-pop duo from Gwanda is set to launch their new single that explores the deep sense of homesickness experienced by people living and working far from home.
Flyvour Nyathi, popularly known as Fly, and Nkosiphile Dewa, also known as Umfanomsotho, will launch Istimela meaning “train” at Mosa House in Gwanda on April 18.
They chose the date as a way to present their work when many people return home from various workplaces, a situation that resonates with the song’s theme of longing.
The song tells the story of two men separated from their loved ones, grappling with the longing, uncertainty and emotional strain that come with distance.
“The song is basically about two guys who are homesick and missing their loved ones — that’s how I would put it,” Nyathi said in an interview.
“It is mainly told from the perspective of a man missing his woman, so they are crying out to Istimela and expressing the frustration that comes with not knowing what is going on back home when you have to be elsewhere working.”
Nyathi said such situations can sometimes create a wedge between partners and loved ones because of the distance and time spent apart.
“If you listen to the song, it touches on those feelings of missing someone,” Nyathi said.
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“There is also the frustration that comes with not knowing what is happening with them, and the frustration of receiving news you might not like — or even news you might like.
“So it’s about that sense of missing home. It’s about that feeling of being homesick, especially when there is that special person you left behind,” he added.
Nyathi said working away from home with his collaborator, Umfanomsotho, as both of them are originally from Gwanda, also inspired the motivation behind the song.
The launch will feature performances by Msiz’kay, La Dee, Zagoe Radge, Jay-D The Poet, Ria Marrie, DJ Oskiz, Blvck Operator and Loxion Keyz.
Meanwhile, the duo is working on starting a recording company and label called Umculo Wasekhaya.
The project is still in its early stages, with the two artists currently pushing the movement under the banner.
“We have already released a track called Kodwa Loyiso, which is available on our YouTube channel, Umculo Wasekhaya. Istimela is our second project and the first one we are releasing this year under the label,” Dewa added.
“As a way of promoting the label, we decided to have an official launch instead of just dropping the song online. We want to push the song deeper and give it the attention it deserves.”
