Phendula (song)

This article is about the song. For the album, see Phendula.
"Phendula"
Single by Zahara
from the album Phendula
ReleasedSeptember 6, 2013
Recorded2013
GenreAfro-soul
Length4:29
LabelTS Records
Songwriter(s)Bulelwa Mkutukana
Zahara singles chronology
"Ndiza"
(2011) 		"Phendula"
(2013) 		"Impilo"
(2013)
Music video
"Phendula" on YouTube

"Phendula" (Xhosa: "Answer") is a song by South African singer Zahara. It was released on September 6, 2013, serving as the lead single from her second studio album of the same name.[1] The song peaked at number six on South Africa's EMA Airplay chart on October 8, 2013.[2]

Background and live performances

In a nutshell, "Phendula" is a prayer to God asking for the eradication of human suffering and hardship.[3] Zahara performed the song for the first time on Live AMP.[4] She also performed the song at the Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World on December 8, 2013.[5]

Music video

The music video for "Phendula" was filmed in South Africa by Thorn Bubble Films and uploaded to YouTube on September 27, 2013.[6]

Critical reception

"Phendula" received positive reviews from music critics. Furah Mahlangu and Buchule Raba of GoXtra News said the song "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".

Accolades

"Phendula" was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2014 Metro FM Music Awards.[7]

Charts

Chart (2013) Peak
position
South Africa (EMA)[2] 6

References

  1. ^ "Phendula - Single by Zahara". iTunes. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  2. ^ a b "South African Airplay Chart Top 10 - October 8, 2013". Entertainment Monitoring Africa. Archived from the original on April 28, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  3. ^ "New Zahara album 'one of best ever'". HeraldLIVE. 2013-09-13. Archived from the original on 2014-04-19. Retrieved 2014-04-19.
  4. ^ "Zahara (Phendula) - Live AMP". YouTube. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  5. ^ "Zahara, Bangani in PE with new albums". HeraldLIVE. 2013-10-30. Archived from the original on 2014-04-19. Retrieved 2014-04-19.
  6. ^ "Zahara - Phendula". YouTube. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  7. ^ Boshomane, Lebogang (17 January 2014). "13th Metro FM Music Awards nominees announced". Sowetan Live. Archived from the original on 29 January 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.