Freshlyground returns with new lead singer and exciting music after five-year break

“After five years away, we realised that the love for playing together never left us, and the music kept calling us back.”

That sentiment captures the spirit behind Freshlyground’s return.

At the end of 2019, the band reached a pause, with Zolani Mahola stepping into her solo path and uncertainty hanging over what would come next.

“It soon became clear that we still loved playing together and we missed it,” the band explained.

They continued to meet, play and reconnect with the sound that had defined their journey. Demand from audiences never faded. “People kept asking when we would be back,” they said. “That told us that the music still mattered.”

From that space came the decision to continue, grounded in respect, trust and a shared commitment to creating new work. The return is shaped by connection rather than nostalgia.

“We are not trying to recreate the past,” the band said. “We are building from it.”

Their process today is rooted in collaboration and honesty. They described the writing sessions as open spaces where ideas move freely.

“Our respect for each other shows in the music,” they explained. “It gives us the freedom to explore without losing who we are.”

The songs now being released reflect this balance, drawing from their history while allowing room for growth and change. A key part of this chapter is the arrival of Mbali Makhoba as the lead vocalist. Her influence has been immediate. 

“Mbali walked into the rehearsal room, and we started clicking straight away,” the band recalled.  “We were writing from day one.”

They described her voice as bringing something new to the sound, not as a replacement of what came before but as an expansion.

“She brings a fresh energy into everything,” they said. “Her ideas shape the melodies, the lyrics and the direction of the songs.”

Much of the new material has been co-written, with Makhoba leading the storytelling.

“She is fearless in the way that she writes and performs,” they added. “She pushes us to try the sounds that we might not have explored before.”

Through this collaboration, new textures have emerged. “There is more soul coming through now,” the band said.

“You can hear touches of blues, but it still feels like us.” They emphasised that the process is ongoing. “We are still experimenting, and that is the exciting part.”

Freshlyground’s identity has always been tied to a distinct blend of African and contemporary sound. The band spoke openly about the challenge of evolving while remaining true to their roots.

“The balance comes from our chemistry,” they explained.

“We take the songs from our heritage, and we bring in the new ideas, and somewhere in the middle it becomes Freshlyground again.”

They described the current music as more varied than before. “There is more diversity in what we are creating now,” they said.

“You can hear African influences, western influences and rock influences, all living in the same space.” Yet they insist that the core remains unchanged.

“Our love and respect for each other keep us grounded,” they explained. “That is what holds everything together.”

Beyond sound, the band continues to define their work through purpose. “For us, music is not just entertainment,” they said.

“It is medicine. It is healing. It brings people together.” They discussed the importance of storytelling, particularly in relation to themes of empowerment.

“We want to tell stories that have not always been heard,” they explained. “Especially stories about women, strength and identity within South African culture.”

They believe that authenticity is what allows their music to resonate beyond borders. “When you stay true to where you come from, people everywhere can feel it,” they said.

“That is how something local becomes something global.” Their live performances have played a crucial role in affirming this new era.

“Our first big show together was at Kirstenbosch in front of five thousand people,” the band recalled. “It was incredible.” 

Returning to the same stage a year later brought a sense of growth and confidence.  “To come back and feel that same support meant everything,” they said.

Audience response has been encouraging.

“Long-time fans have been open to this new chapter,” they explained. “The energy at the shows has been electric.”

Makhoba’s presence on stage has been central to that experience.

“She brings raw energy,” they said. “You can see that she has been performing from a young age.” Her connection to performance runs deep.

“She grew up in Imizamo Yethu, where music gave her purpose,” the band shared. “You feel that truth when she sings.”

Their latest single, “Welele”, captures many of these themes. The band described the song as a message of resilience.

“It creates space to acknowledge pain,” they explained, “but it also holds onto belief in change.” The song encourages listeners to remain open to hope.

“It is about trusting that circumstances can shift,” they said. “It is about holding faith even when things feel heavy.”

They described it as a reminder rather than a promise. “It does not deny struggle,” they explained. “It simply says that struggle does not have the final word.”

Through “Welele", they continue a long tradition of using music as a tool for emotional connection.

Makhoba’s own journey echoes the themes present in the music. Growing up in Imizamo Yethu in Cape Town, she pursued music with determination and focus. Her recent performance at the Lalela Foundation gala in New York marked a milestone, making her the first in her extended family to travel internationally. The band spoke about this with respect rather than spectacle.

“Her story brings depth to the work,” they said.

“It informs how she writes and how she connects with people.” Her experiences are not separate from the music. “They live inside the songs,” the band explained.

This chapter is not limited to a single release.

“We are releasing our third single next month,” the band confirmed. “The full album follows in April.”

They described the album as varied in sound and direction. “There is something for people who enjoy different moods and different textures,” they said.

Touring plans are also underway. “We are developing a national tour for later this year,” they explained. “We are also preparing for a European tour in July.”

For the band, live performance remains essential. “That is where the music truly lives,” they said.

Freshlyground now moves forward as a six-piece ensemble with renewed focus.

“We are here because the relationships lasted,” they said. “We are here because the audience stayed. We are here because the music still matters to us.”