There’s nothing listeners love more than an emotionally charged story told through a good and soulful song, and South African singer-songwriter Wandile Mbambeni has mastered the art of delivering a good song that will stay with you long after you’ve turned down the music and taken off your headphones.

This South African singer-songwriter is known for his soulful voice and emotionally charged songs. In an interview, he opens up about his musical journey, his latest music and what’s next for him. Born into a family that loves and appreciates music, Wandile is not a stranger to the art of music and its beauty. Being surrounded by a family that loves music, he took it upon himself to learn how to play the guitar and then ventured into songwriting.

“I was 17 when I started to learn how to play the guitar, then I gradually started learning how to write music because I love telling stories,” he says.

However, it wasn’t until he released his debut album with Gallo Music, Kwakumndandi, that he felt like he had wholly entered the music industry. He explains that at first, he wasn’t entirely in the music industry; he was just in the background, playing at live shows until the release of his debut album, which changed it all for him.

“I think I was flirting with the industry in the background with some live shows. But it’s not the same when you’re working with a major music label company, and there’s money being invested, so there’s money behind the music,” he explains, adding “Releasing my debut album was a pivotal moment for me.”

Breaking into the music industry with the release of his debut album was a monumental moment for Wandile. He quickly got used to the business of making music and remained rooted in his passion- storytelling. His musical inspirations- ranging from the soul of some Blues to the storytelling nature of some artists- remained a constant guide: “I am inspired by great storytellers like Brenda Fassie, she was a great storyteller. Someone who is also my favourite storyteller at the moment is Ami Faku; she writes and tells great stories,” he says.

His music inspirations also include a Blues musician, Robert Johnson and several country music artists. With these inspirations grounding his sound, Wandile has also learned to channel his deepest emotions into his music to tell stories. Crafting stories that reflect both his personal experiences and the shared human condition, his songwriting process is where he transforms vulnerability into a powerful connection with his listeners while understanding that songs and their meaning belong to the listeners once he has released them.

“I write to tell a story from my perspective and tell it as it is, but listeners may relate to it in a different way, and I think that’s where the connection with music happens.”

He explains that he believes that once a song is released, he knows he can’t control how his listeners relate to it, and that’s the magic of music. Turning raw emotions into shared experiences is at the heart of Wandile’s songwriting, which is evident in his latest singles, I Don’t Regret It and Hey Lord. Navigating the bittersweetness of the end of a relationship and the lessons that come from that, I Don’t Regret It is a soulful song that explores love and the end of it, but it is more than just a breakup song.

“I don’t want to call I Don’t Regret It just a breakup song because it loses the essence of the song. It is more like me looking back and finding a lesson in every experience of love and loss and appreciating that instead of just focusing on the end of the relationship,” he reflects. Charged with just as much emotion, Hey Lord explores a different kind of raw emotion. Tackling the feeling of grief, Wandile explains that Hey Lord is more like a conversation with God, which was inspired by the loss of two industry icons- Ricky Rick and AKA.

“I have a lot of friends that I make music with that were close to Ricky Rick, and I remember how hard it was to deal with his passing and knowing that they’ll have to do it again after learning about the passing of AKA. So I wrote Hey Lord the morning I heard about AKA’s passing because I had questions for God but also to ask for forgiveness and to say I’m tired,” he explains. “It’s also been eye-opening to see how people respond to the song. I’m starting to see that many people relate to this song.”

These songs explore different emotional landscapes, from the soul-searching pain of grief to the introspective lessons of the bittersweetness of love; they also reflect his ultimate wish for the impact of his songs. “I want my music to heal. I know we’re all dealing with something in our lives, and we’re trying to heal from something, and I hope my music can do a little bit of mending or help the journey of healing”, he shares.

While both these songs offer a glimpse into Wandile’s emotional depth, they also reflect the lessons he has learned along the way. Beyond the lyrics and melodies, he has had to navigate the realities of the industry.

“It still feels like I’m new to the game, but I think the biggest challenge one will face as an artist is finding yourself. Finding yourself is not as easy as people make it seem or suggest it to be. But once you find and stray true to yourself, this world becomes easier.”

Through every challenge, Wandile is determined to stay true to his artistry. With each lesson learned, he now has a clear vision of the type of artist he wants to become and what we can expect from him.

“There’ll be more music. I’m working hard on being active, releasing more music and visuals, and pushing for live shows, so you might hear from me pretty soon, ” he shares.

He also hopes to make an impact on global stages and let his music take him all over the world.

As Wandile moves forward, his journey remains rooted in one thing- storytelling. Whether through stripped-down ballads or soul-stirring melodies, his music reflects his experiences, emotions, and aspirations. And as long as there are stories to tell, Wandile will be there to turn them into songs that connect, heal, and inspire.