Afro-soul singer and spiritual artist Phila Dlozi brought an evening of music and meaning to Fort Street in Sandton, where an intimate audience gathered to experience what many described as a night of healing and reflection, writes ALULUTHO SIBOMA.
Born Siyabonga Mfekayi in the rural village of KwaSokhulu near Richards Bay, Dlozi has developed a reputation for combining powerful vocals with traditional elements in his performances.
The night opened with a performance by Mthatha-based artist HiddenXhosa, who warmed up the crowd with tracks like Izolo, an uplifting piece about personal growth, and Xelel’ilizwe, a heartfelt love ballad about vulnerability in relationships. His smooth delivery earned him praise from attendees, many of whom described him as a fresh voice worth watching.
When Dlozi took the stage, he did so holding itshoba, a traditional object often used in spiritual ceremonies. He also burnt impepho (sage), a gesture interpreted by many in the room as a nod to spiritual cleansing.
Message of hope
Opening with his track Ngeke Ngiyeke Ukuzama, Dlozi set the tone for a performance that would blend music with messages of hope. His set included well-known songs with struggle-inspired messages, including Thina Sizwe, Nkosi Sikelela, and Asinamali Asisebenzi, which had the crowd singing and dancing in unison.
“Keep doing what you’re doing, you’re changing lives,” said audience member Keorapetsi Gaulekanywe, one of many fans who shared personal reflections on Dlozi’s impact.
Later in the evening, the tone became more introspective. During his final performance of the night, Ikhandlela, Dlozi asked the crowd to hold lit candles as he performed. The song, which touches on unity and intergenerational hope, created a deeply moving moment in the room. Audience members could be seen kneeling, eyes closed, quietly engaged in their own reflections and prayers.
“Every day I pray for my son,” said Mathapelo Maleka, an attendee. “I lost my mother when I was six. I just pray I can be around long enough to raise him.”
These kinds of deeply personal responses seem to follow Dlozi wherever he performs. For his manager, Kudzai Mureriwa, the night marked a career high. “Tonight’s performance was just perfect,” he said. “As someone who’s been with Phila from the beginning, this was by far one of his most incredible sets. The energy and spirit were just different.”
Dlozi’s performance confirmed his unique ability to bridge ancestral tradition and contemporary soul, offering more than entertainment, it was a shared experience of healing, memory, and cultural pride.
Next up at Hidden Spaces: Two-time Grammy-nominated vocal group Just 6. Catch them live on 18 July at 8 Fort Street, Birnam. An intimate night of world-class harmony awaits.
In a nutshell
Phila Dlozi review
Hidden Spaces gig
At Fort Street, Sandton, Johannesburg