Last night, at the venerable studios of SABC M1 in Johannesburg, the legendary South‐African ensemble Stimela marked a remarkable milestone: 45 years of musical innovation, resistance and soulful resonance — and simultaneously launched their bold new album Through the Storm. The event, curated in partnership with Radio 2000, delivered not just a performance, but a testament to heritage, craft and forward momentum in the country’s jazz and Afro-fusion landscape.
From the moment the lights dimmed and the first notes rang out in the SABC M1 live studio, it was clear this wasn’t simply a show — it was a reaffirmation of legacy.
The band opened with unmistakable flair, weaving the familiar textures of their earlier years — punchy guitars, warm horn touches, rich call-and-response vocals — with the fresh arrangements and themes of Through the Storm. The immediate effect: nostalgia stirred, respect reaffirmed, and a younger audience visibly drawn in.
Lead vocalist and longtime member Sam Ndlovu (whose voice remains as soulful and magnetic as ever) guided the performance with grace and gravitas. At several points during the set, he addressed the audience directly: about the importance of remembering roots; of staying true to the story of South Africa; of passing the torch.
Meanwhile guitarist Ntokozo Zungu and the supporting band tapped into moments of improvised brilliance — solos that didn’t feel show-offy but felt earned, born of years playing in townships, studios and festival arenas across the country.
Partnership with Radio 2000 paid dividends: the broadcast-friendly venue allowed the performance to reach not just those physically present in the studio, but listeners across the airwaves, creating a shared national moment. The production was polished yet warm — one sensed that the intention was to keep the intimacy of the live band, not to smother it with studio slickness.
Lead vocalist Sam Ndlovu says of the lead single “More Than Just a Man”:
“This song celebrates men quietly shaping our communities – the fathers and sons who are the unsung pillars of our lives. It’s a story that resonates across every home.”
That line makes clear the band’s intention to speak not just through groove and melody but through communal, generational relevance.Guitarist Ntokozo Zungu comments about the album’s broader mission:
“Stimela’s music is a living story. Every generation has found something to hold on to – a reflection of life, love, and hope. This album is our way of honouring the past while passing the torch to the future.”
This reinforces the idea that the new album isn’t simply a nostalgic glance backward — it is meant as a point of departure.
