Malaika

Malaika is a South African Afro-pop group. It is a trio made up of Jabulani Herald Ndaba, Matshediso Florence Mholo and Bongani Kevin Nchang, and is associated with Godfrey “Guffy” Pilane, a Kwaito producer involved in its formation.

Background

Nchang and Ndaba are former members of the Stouters. After that earlier experience in kwaito, they return to their roots in church singing, where they find Mholo, who comes from a church background and is described as a former school teacher entering the music world.

Style and place in South African music

The group’s sound combines post-kwaito, post-mbaqanga and neo-soul, and it is presented as part of the Nu Afro-pop movement. Its approach is melodic and harmony-led, with English used within black popular music traditions in South Africa. The group is described as part of the early sound of 21st-century South African pop.

Members

The trio consists of Jabulani Herald Ndaba, Matshediso Florence Mholo and Bongani Kevin Nchang. Jabu Ndaba is noted as having died.