After two decades of friendship, Dr Smama and Mafikizolo’s Nhlanhla Mafu are finally joining forces on a soulful new love song that blends Afro soul with the nostalgic sound of Maskandi.
South African Afro soul vocalist and practising medical doctor Dr Smama is teaming up with Mafikizolo vocalist Nhlanhla Mafu for their highly anticipated collaboration, Isifiso Sami, released on Friday, 4 September 2026.
The song arrives at a time when romance is increasingly shaped by digital interactions and dating apps, offering something altogether more nostalgic: a heartfelt Zulu love song rooted in the warmth of traditional Maskandi guitar and contemporary Afro soul.
For Dr Smama, the collaboration represents more than a new musical chapter. The SAMA-nominated artist and songwriter, who has written music for some of South Africa’s celebrated artists, including Berita, Nokwazi and the late Lundi Tyamara, is stepping outside his usual creative comfort zone. For the first time, he has recorded a song written by an outside composer.
“If you only sing your own songs, you stay inside your comfort zone,” says Dr Smama. “When this track found its way to me, the Maskandi feel grabbed me immediately. It forced me out of my usual gospel soul space and challenged me vocally to step into someone else’s story.”
For him, Isifiso Sami is ultimately about the nature of commitment.
“It is not just a song about romance; it presents love as an intentional, vulnerable choice to stand by someone despite outside noise,” he adds.
The collaboration also brings a friendship spanning more than 20 years into the spotlight. Having known each other since the early stages of their respective careers, Dr Smama and Mafu had always envisioned working together, but waited for the right song rather than forcing a collaboration for the sake of it.
“When I heard Isifiso Sami, I was sold instantly,” says Mafu. “You simply do not hear people express devotion or declare love like this anymore.”
The song also reflects a shared appreciation for traditional African storytelling. By bringing the acoustic character of Maskandi into an Afro soul setting, the artists create a sound that feels both familiar and contemporary.
For Mafu, that connection to tradition was central to the appeal of the track.
“It captures a depth of lyricism and traditional storytelling that our industry has slowly been losing to quick digital trends,” she says.
The result is a collaboration that bridges generations and musical styles, while celebrating the enduring power of expressing love through African languages and musical traditions.
For Dr Smama, the release is another milestone in a career that has moved between medicine and music. A graduate of the University of Cape Town with an MBChB, he has established himself as both a performer and songwriter, with his work rooted in African storytelling, soul and gospel.
His album Isipho earned a SAMA nomination, while he is currently touring nationally as a featured artist on ZukoSA’s He Who Sent Me Tour.
With Isifiso Sami, Dr Smama and Mafu are not simply adding another collaboration to their respective catalogues. They are celebrating a long-standing friendship and proving that, even in an increasingly digital musical landscape, there is still room for songs that take their time with love, devotion and storytelling.
Isifiso Sami is available on all major digital streaming platforms from Friday, 4 September 2026.
