‘I aim to entertain’: Samthing Soweto talks new music, what to expect at upcoming Mzanzi Fela Fest

Samthing Soweto is having his show at the State Theatre on 1 December.

• Samthing Soweto is kicking off December at the Mzansi Fela Festival at Pretoria’s State Theatre.
• The musician’s slick lyrics and sultry voice have made him so popular with South African audiences that they can’t get enough of him.
• Over the years, the singer has taken on the approach of interacting with his audiences, and they shower him with the same love he gives them. 

Singer Samthing Soweto, known for his euphonious voice, has been planning his set for the upcoming Mzansi Fela Festival. He chats to News24’s Constance Gaanakgomo about the show, his recent performance at the Off-White concert, and new music. 

Samthing Soweto is kicking off December at the Mzansi Fela Festival at Pretoria’s State Theatre.

The 2023 edition of the festival promises an exciting lineup featuring headline acts like Samthing Soweto and legendary singer and songwriter Thandiswa Mazwai.

Samthing Soweto, real name Samkelo Mdolomba, caught up with News24 the day before the festival and confirmed that all his fan’s favourite songs, including amapiano hit Akulaleki and Amagents, will be in his set. 

The musician’s slick lyrics and sultry voice have made him so popular with South African audiences that they can’t get enough of him. After the success of his album Isphithiphithi, released in 2019, and Danko EP, he said his fans are in for a treat. 

Mdolomba recently performed at the annual Off-White concert, which the Banda Banda Agency organised. It also featured musicians Mandisi Dyantyis, Simphiwe Dana, Langa Mavuso, and Zoë Modiga. 

“On the Off-White show specifically, I loved sharing the stage with Simphiwe Dana, whom I grew up listening to. It was a dream come true. Watching Langa Mavuso, one of the best crooners of our generation, was awesome. The best performer among us was Zoë Modiga; she is such a generous performer. Last but not least, Mandisi had the audience in a trance. It’s as if he commanded the audience’s spirits to fuse into one strong, loud cry of hope and joy. It was a sight to see.”

“I perform songs the audience loves based on past performances, streams, and radio plays. I aim to entertain and have them dancing to music that they know and love,” he added.

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In 2022, Samthing Soweto came under public scrutiny after he emerged from his social media hiatus with cryptic posts that sent the alarm bells ringing.

He had to reassure his fans that he was doing well. He also got candid about his mental health journey, something he said he did a little differently this year. 

He elaborated:

Over the years, the singer has taken on the approach of interacting with his audiences, and they shower him with the same love he gives them. Some express on social media platforms how his music has changed their lives, or how it was what they needed in their dark times.

Samthing Soweto has also been working on new music. 

“I have the ability to walk into many rooms and be greeted with a smile. This is great for me, considering the opposite can happen. I can imagine what a debt collector is greeted like. I feel blessed. I worked on a song on J-smash’s album; the music is called Care For Me. I also did a few more features on various albums that still need to be released. I am working on my album, which will come out next year.”