The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) recently presented DJ Zinhle with a heartfelt tribute for her chart-topping single "Indlovu", featuring Loyiso as they marched the streets of Cape Town.
The SANDF marching band performed a captivating rendition of the song during the 2024 State of the Nation Adress (SONA) parade, leaving the acclaimed DJ overwhelmed with emotion.
The performance was shared online by Nkosinathi Mcube, who captured the band’s performance as they paraded through a closed-off street amidst captivated onlookers.
In response to the video, Zinhle expressed her joy and gratitude, simply tweeting, “Wow,” accompanied by teary-eyed emojis, highlighting the impact of this momentous recognition.
Wow 🥹🥹🥹🥹 https://t.co/usnroSPHhQ
Fans who witnessed the tribute echoed her sentiments.
One user tweeted: “This must feel so awesome. To know your music has that much of an impact,” while another exclaimed: “Wow”. An additional fan added: “This song is fire,” reflecting the excitement and pride surrounding Zinhle's celebrated work.
Originally released in 2020, "Indlovu", sung in Xhosa, embodies an uplifting message of diligence, perseverance, and success.
The song narrates the struggles of a young girl facing unemployment and social solitude but ultimately illustrates her journey toward self-discovery and resilience.
The accompanying music video underscores Zinhle's commitment to empowering women.
Featuring a courageous female graduate, the narrative powerfully aligns with Zinhle’s message that challenges the barriers young South Africans, particularly women, face in climbing the career ladder despite their qualifications.
This is not the first time that a marching band has decided to honour her with a rendition of the popular song.
Last year, a video of Ezase-Vaal Brass Band performing her “Umlilo” track, featuring Mvzzle, and Rethabile Khumalo also trended on social media. People applauded the band with one user saying, “You guys made my day forever.”
Another user commented: “I wonder how excited DJ Zinhle is to hear this fantastic band.”
@bravo_saxrsa Ezase-Vaal Brass Band Plays “Umlilo” by Dj Zinhle feat. Mvzzle & Rethabile @DJZinhle #djzinhle #mvzzle #rethabilekhumalo #umlilo #ezasevaalbrassband ♬ original sound - Bravo_saxRSA
Zinhle, a formidable force in the music industry for over two decades, utilised her platform to shed light on the struggles and aspirations of young women through this track.
She established a female-only DJ academy aimed at fostering talent and reducing gender imbalance in the music industry.
Her career began to soar after her appearance on the beloved television dance show Jika Majika and her single "My Name Is", featuring the talent of Busiswa solidified her place in the house music scene.
Her influence extends beyond "Indlovu".
In 2020, Zinhle garnered the "Pan African Artist of the Year" award at the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) for her infectious dance hit "Umlilo 2.0", featuring vibrant collaborations with Mvzzle and Rethabile.
Currently, Zinhle continues to make waves in the music world with her latest track “Sorry”, a collaboration with Skillz, Section Five and MK Productions.