Phendula (song)

This article is about the song. For the album, see Phendula.
"Phendula"
Single by Zahara
from the album Phendula
Released September 6, 2013
Format Digital download
Recorded 2013
Genre Afro-soul
Length 4:29
Label TS Records
Writer(s) Bulelwa Mkutukana
Zahara singles chronology
"Ndiza"
(2011)		 "Phendula"
(2013)		 "Impilo"
(2013)
Music video
"Phendula" on YouTube

"Phendula" is a song by South African singer Zahara, released as the first single from her second studio album of the same name. It was released on September 6, 2013.[1] The song peaked at number 1 on South African iTunes chart.[2] Moreover, it peaked at number six on the South African EMA Airplay Chart on October 8, 2013.[3]

Meaning

In a nutshell, "Phendula" is a prayer to God asking for the eradication of human suffering and hardship. Zahara, in her own words, said: "My single Phendula talks about seeking answers from God. A lot is happening from people being victims of crime. There's a lot of poverty and unemployment. All I am saying is that God should answer our prayers".[4]

Music video

The music video for the single, uploaded to YouTube on September 27, 2013, was shot in South Africa by Thorn Bubble Films.[5]

Critical reception

Upon its release, the song received positive reviews from music lovers. Furah Mahlangu and Buchule Raba of GoXtra News said: "This single has left many yearning, and impatient of the release day of the full album as the Twitter buzz hasn't stopped with fans begging for more. Phendula which means (You Must Answer) is Already on major music stores!"[2]

Accolades

"Phendula" was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2014 Metro FM Music Awards.[6]

Year Awards ceremony Award description(s) Results
2014 Metro FM Music Awards Song of the Year Nominated

Live performance

Zahara performed the single for the first time on Live AMP.[7] She also performed the song at the The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World on December 8, 2013.[8]

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2013) Peak
position
South Africa (EMA)[3] 6

Release history

Audio release history

Country Date Format Label
South Africa September 6, 2013 Digital download TS Records

Video release history

Country Date Format Label
South Africa September 27, 2013 Digital download TS Records

References

  1. ↑ "Phendula - Single by Zahara". iTunes. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "ZAHARA'S #Phendula is #1 on South African iTunes!". goxtranews. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "South African Airplay Chart Top 10 - October 8, 2013". Entertainment Monitoring Africa. Archived from the original on April 25, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  4. ↑ Name * (2013-09-13). "New Zahara album ‘one of best ever’". HeraldLIVE. Retrieved 2014-04-19.
  5. ↑ "Zahara - Phendula". YouTube. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  6. ↑ Boshomane, Lebogang (17 January 2014). "13th Metro FM Music Awards nominees announced". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  7. ↑ "Zahara (Phendula) - Live AMP". YouTube. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  8. ↑ Name * (2013-10-30). "Zahara, Bangani in PE with new albums". HeraldLIVE. Retrieved 2014-04-19.