Music
‘Big Brother Mzansi’ Star King Wanda Releases Heartfelt Debut EP
King Wanda is expanding his career with the release of his debut EP, iCulo. After introducing himself to millions of viewers on Big Brother Mzansi with his humour and outgoing personality, the reality TV star is now shifting his focus to music. The project marks a significant milestone for an artist who says music has always been his first passion.
The eight-track project is far from a celebrity side venture. According to King Wanda, music has been part of his life for nearly 18 years, long before television brought him into the spotlight. He says the EP draws from his personal experiences, including love, heartbreak, faith, family and his long journey in music.
Photo: Instagram/@King Wanda
The title iCulo carries special meaning. The EP is named after his young daughter, whom he describes as his greatest source of inspiration. She also appears on the closing track, giving the record a personal ending. King Wanda says the project allowed him to share the personal experiences behind his songs instead of being seen only as a reality TV personality.
Several collaborations add variety to the project. Poet Lethu Nkwanyana features on Zanele, blending spoken word with music, while Big Brother Mzansi season six winner Liema Pantsi joins King Wanda on Mangwane. Instead of relying on a long guest list, the EP keeps its focus on stories linked to growth, relationships and fatherhood.
Photo: Instagram/@King Wanda
For many viewers, King Wanda became known through his appearance on Big Brother Mzansi, where his lively personality made him one of the season’s memorable contestants. However, he has made it clear that television was never the final destination. He believes the experience helped him adjust to the entertainment industry by teaching him how to handle both praise and criticism without losing sight of his goals.
That perspective also shapes his approach to music. Speaking about his career, King Wanda has said that his responsibility is to continue creating honest songs and releasing them, while accepting that success often arrives on its own timeline. He has remained patient after nearly two decades of working towards becoming a recognised recording artist.
Photo: Instagram/@King Wanda
The debut EP is only the beginning. King Wanda revealed that he already has more than 150 unreleased songs and hopes to release another, even more personal project before the end of the year. He describes iCulo as the start of his plans as a recording artist rather than a once-off release linked to his television fame.
For fans who followed his journey on Big Brother Mzansi, iCulo shows another side of the entertainer. Instead of competing for votes or navigating life inside the house, King Wanda is now sharing personal stories through his music. The EP signals that he is ready to be recognised for more than reality television.
Jill Scott has cancelled her planned South African concerts scheduled for November 2026. This has disappointed fans who had looked forward to seeing the American artist perform live in Pretoria and Cape Town.
Showtime Management, the company behind the South African shows, announced the cancellation on Monday, October 19. The promoter attributed the decision to “unforeseen circumstances” but did not provide further details.
Scott was scheduled to bring her To Whom This May Concern World Tour to South Africa as part of her international tour supporting her latest album. The concerts would have marked another visit to the country.
Photo: Getty Images
The first show was planned for November 7 at SunBet Arena, Time Square, in Pretoria. The second was scheduled for November 11 at Grand Arena, GrandWest, in Cape Town.
Read Also: Kehlani Brings Her World Tour to South Africa
In an Instagram post, Showtime Management apologised to fans who had been looking forward to the concerts. The promoter also indicated that Scott and her team were considering the possibility of returning to South Africa at a later date.
“Jill and her team are actively exploring the possibility of returning to South Africa at a future date. South Africa has always held a special place in Jill’s heart, and she remains committed to returning and reconnecting with her South African fans as soon as possible.”
This leaves the door open for future performances, although organisers have yet to confirm whether it will be rescheduled.
Fans who purchased tickets for either concert will receive a full refund automatically. According to the organisers, ticket holders do not need to submit a separate refund request. Refunds will be processed through the original payment method, and all updates will be sent via email.
Photo:Getty Images
Refunds could take between five and 10 business days to appear in customers’ accounts. Fans whose original payment details are not valid will be contacted with instructions on how to proceed.
Scott’s South African dates were announced in March as part of an extensive international tour covering the United States, Europe and the United Kingdom before its planned conclusion in South Africa.
The singer has performed in South Africa several times. Her previous appearances include a Johannesburg concert in 2013, a Durban performance in 2017 and her appearance at the DStv Delicious Festival in Johannesburg in 2024.
Following her 2024 performance, Scott thanked the Johannesburg crowd for its response to her music. She described hearing the audience sing along as “beautiful and overwhelmingly wonderful”
No new concert dates have been confirmed.
Uncle Waffles will play at Gallo 100: The Sound of a Century. This festival partners with KFM and celebrates 100 years of Gallo Record Company. The event will take place at the Grand Parade on December 15, 2026, with Black Coffee headlining the programme.
Gallo announced the full line-up on October 16. Asides Uncle Waffles, DJ Maphorisa, Oscar Mbo, Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Sun-El Musician, Julian Gomes, Ami Faku, Da Mike, Fraser Jones will also be present.
Uncle Waffles performed at Coachella in California in 2023. She also received a nomination for Best International Act at the 2023 BET Awards.
Photo Credit: Instagram/@unclewaffles_
The festival recognises Gallo’s long history in the South African recording industry. Established in 1926, Gallo Record Company has promoted different music styles like jazz, mbaqanga, isicathamiya, gospel, reggae, kwaito and house music.
Read Also: Uncle Waffles and Royal Musiq Link for “4 Da Streets” EP Drop
Antos Stella, CEO of Music Arena has this to say about the event.
“For 100 years, Gallo has been part of the soundtrack of people’s lives. Gallo 100 is about celebrating the artists, producers, writers, communities and music lovers who have helped carry that story across generations.”
Photo Credit: Instagram/@unclewaffles_
Top musicians who have attended the festival includes alMiriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Lucky Dube. The event will run from 1 p.m. until midnight, with only people aged 18 and over allowed entry. Ticket options to choose from are general access, Golden Circle and VVIP lounge packages.
With Uncle Waffles among the confirmed performers, Gallo 100 will bring together established names and newer artists for a celebration of South African music’s past and present. The December event will also give audiences the chance to experience several of the country’s prominent musical acts on one stage.
Tyla has launched her A*POP World Tour in Paris on October 12. The Grammy-winning artist opened the 34-date tour at Zénith Paris–La Villette. This marked the start of her first full-scale headlining world tour. The show supports her second studio album, A*POP, which was released on July 24, 2026, through FAX and Epic Records.
The opening night introduced the visual style of Tyla’s new era. The singer wore bright outfits that matched the album’s colourful aesthetic.
The production drew on early 2000s pop culture, a recurring influence in Tyla’s fashion and visual presentation. The segment brought a nightclub atmosphere to the stage, with industrial scaffolding and black lights creating the setting for the performance. Tyla also performed “That Girl,” a track from A*POP, during the opening night.
Photo credit: Instagram/@tyla
The setlist also included favourites such as “Water,” “Truth or Dare,” “Jump,” “PUSH 2 START” and “CHANEL.” She ended the main set with ‘MR. NONCHALANT’ before returning to perform “SHAKE AH” as the encore.
Read Also: Tyla Adds Second Pretoria Date to A*POP World Tour
The concert also featured South African DJ and producer Royal MusiQ as a support act. After the Paris show, he shared footage from the performance on social media and thanked the singer for including him.
“Paris got the first chapter. Had to leave my mark,” Royal MusiQ wrote in a post reflecting on the experience.
The opening night included moments when members of the audience began chanting “Macron démission,” a French political slogan calling for President Emmanuel Macron to resign. Tyla was seen vibing to the chants.
Photo credit: Instagram/@tyla
The Paris concert marked the beginning of a tour spanning Europe, the United Kingdom, North America and Africa. Following the opening date, Tyla continued to Amsterdam before heading to London and other European cities.
The African leg initially included a Lagos date scheduled on December 22, 2026, but the date was subsequently removed from her tour itinerary. The singer and her management have not publicly clarified the concert’s status. Her South Africa tour will start in Cape Town on January 4, 2027, and Pretoria for January 9.
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