Just when fans were wondering if we would hear from her again, Amanda Nompumelelo Ngcobo, popularly known by her stage name “Lelo Kamau” is back with a return that’s hard to ignore! Known for her soulful, captivating voice, she has stepped into this new chapter with renewed energy and purpose. Her journey in music began at just six years old, growing up in a household where music was a way of life. She later gained national recognition as the voice behind the hit Sonini with Sun-EL Musician and Simmy, a track that has garnered over 24 million views on YouTube and firmly placed her on South Africa’s music map. Now under The Dunhill Distillery and Maybach Holding Records, she is further shaping her presence in the industry. Now, after taking time away from the spotlight to focus on personal growth and reflection, Lelo returns with her latest single, Ina Khawuthobe, featuring Master Dee and Lusta Bajaivise. Now available on all major streaming platforms, the track marks an exciting new chapter in her career. In this exclusive interview with Africa Jamz FM News, Lelo shares insight into her hiatus, her personal and artistic growth, and the story behind her comeback. Her stage name, Lelo Kamau, comes from the final four letters of her middle name, Nompumelelo, combined with Kamau, a Kenyan name meaning “Quiet Warrior,” embodying the serene yet powerful essence of her music. Picture: Supplied Choosing presence over momentum Lelo stepped away at a time when her career was gaining undeniable momentum. As we began our conversation, she brought us into that moment, unpacking the behind-the-scenes realities that led her to press pause. “At the time, everything was moving so fast on the outside, but internally I was being called to something deeper. Motherhood came into my life and completely shifted my priorities. It was not an easy decision, because I was very aware of the momentum I had built—but I also knew that some moments in life are once-in-a-lifetime. Behind the scenes, it was about choosing presence over pressure. I needed to be fully there for that chapter, to experience it without feeling like I was constantly being pulled in another direction. It was less about walking away from my career and more about stepping into a different purpose for a while,” said Lelo. Growth and a new voice As our conversation continued, Lelo opened up about how that time away transformed her—not only as an artist, but as a woman—and how that evolution now echoes through the music she is creating. “I grew in ways I don’t think I could have if I had stayed in the same pace of life. Motherhood teaches you patience, resilience, and a kind of emotional depth that’s hard to explain until you live it. As a woman, I became more grounded and more certain of who I am. I stopped seeking validation and started listening more to my own voice. Creatively, that changed everything. The music I’m making now comes from a more honest, more intentional place—it’s less about proving something and more about expressing something real,” said Lelo. Lelo’s father once played for the legendary musician Tu Nokwe, while her mother was a backing vocalist for Carlos Jeje. Picture: Supplied Passion meets purpose Lelo’s comeback single, Ina Khawuthobe featuring Master Dee and Lusta Bajaivise, feels deeply intentional. She spoke about what this song represents for her in this new chapter. “Personally, this comeback means responsibility as much as it means passion. After going through such an intense and transformative season of motherhood, coming back into music is no longer just about love for the craft—it’s also about purpose. I’m now in a space where I’m not only expressing myself creatively, but I’m also building a life, creating stability, and making sure I can provide and sustain a healthy future for my family. That changes how you move—it makes you more intentional, more focused, and more disciplined.“At the same time, the passion is still there—if anything, it’s stronger. But now it’s anchored in something deeper. I hope listeners take away that it’s okay for your journey to evolve. Sometimes what starts as passion grows into purpose, and purpose grows into responsibility. And there’s strength in that transition,” said Lelo. Lelo has also collaborated with Peekay Mzee, Msongi, JL SA, and many more on new music. Picture: Supplied Growth and reflection Sonically and emotionally, Ina Khawuthobe carries a striking sense of depth and maturity. Lelo leans into the heart of the track, opening up about the conversations she was having—both with herself and the world around her—and the emotions she was unpacking as she brought it to life. “The line ‘Ibi ngoyena nyaka lona obukhe wanzima’, which means “this has had to be by far the most difficult year” came to me in November. At the time, it felt like an end-of-year reflection—but for me, it became something much deeper than that. It captures a very personal journey… going from what felt like the peak of my career into a season of stillness, self-discovery, and transformation through motherhood. “That shift was not easy. There were moments of doubt, moments of feeling like I had lost my rhythm, and struggling to find my way back to another breakthrough. But in that difficulty, I was also finding myself again—just in a different way. So that line is not just about hardship, it’s about growth, transition, and learning to trust the process even when things feel uncertain,” said Lelo. Now back in the spotlight, Lelo promises powerful music that reasonates deeply with her listeners. Picture: Supplied Rising with intention As our conversation drew to a close, I posed one final question to Lelo: as she steps back into the spotlight, what does this return truly mean to her on a personal level—and what does she hope listeners will carry with them from both her journey and this new body of work? This is how she responded: “Coming back into the spotlight now feels very different from before. I’m returning with a more refined perspective—not just as an artist, but as a woman who has lived, paused, reflected, and grown through real life. Before, everything was about momentum and chasing moments. Now, it’s about alignment, intention, and truth. I have learned to lead my journey through spiritual guidance—trusting that inner voice and allowing it to direct me instead of outside pressure. That has brought a sense of peace and clarity into my work. I’m no longer creating just to be heard, I’m creating to express something real and meaningful.“At the same time, I’m very aware that I’m human. We all are. We make mistakes, we fall, we doubt ourselves. There’s this idea that you must choose between light and dark, or that you can fully master that balance—but in reality, it’s a constant struggle. It’s something I’m still navigating every day. And I think there’s honesty in admitting that. Growth is not about perfection, it’s about awareness and choosing to keep moving forward despite those internal battles.“Motherhood and life itself have taught me to appreciate the simplicity and truth of nature—the kind of love that exists without condition, without performance. That’s where I have found grounding. And I believe when we reconnect with that, when we become more conscious and more intentional in how we think and live, we begin to shift not just our own lives, but the world around us. So this comeback is not just about music for me. It’s about being a living testimony—that you can go through difficult seasons, face your darkness, make mistakes, and still rise with purpose. That there is beauty in becoming, not just in arriving.“I hope listeners take away a sense of peace and perspective from my journey. That they allow themselves to be human, to grow, to heal, and to reconnect with what truly matters. Because when we choose awareness, when we choose positivity, and when we stay rooted in something real, we contribute to creating a better world—not just for ourselves, but for each other, for our children and generations to come,” said Lelo. 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