Loliwe

Loliwe
Studio album by Zahara
Released	6 September 2011
Recorded	2011
Genre	Afro-soul
Label	TS Records
Producer	Robbie Malinga Mojalefa Thebe
Zahara chronology
Loliwe (2011) The Beginning Live (2012) Singles from Loliwe "Loliwe" Released: 31 August 2011 "Ndiza" Released: 25 November 2011

Loliwe (English: The Train) is the debut studio album by South African singer-songwriter Zahara, released on 6 September 2011. The album's production was handled by Robbie Malinga and Mojalefa Thebe. Georgyn Kanana made a guest appearance on it. The album was supported by the singles "Loliwe" and "Ndiza". It sold over 20,000 copies and reached gold status within 72 hours of its release. Four weeks after it was released, the album sold 210,000 units in South Africa.^[1] Furthermore, Loliwe sold 350,000 copies after four months of being on the market.^[2] It is the second fastest selling album in South African history behind Brenda Fassie's Memeza, which sold over 500, 000 copies.^[3]

Background

Zahara wrote most of the songs for her debut album prior to her record deal with TS Records in August 2010.^[4][5] In her songs, she references apartheid activists like Walter Sisulu, Nelson Mandela and Helen Joseph. The track titled "Loliwe" refers to the train that brought workers back home after many years away working in Johannesburg where they often had other families.^[5] According to Zahara, "For me it is a metaphor. It's like ... just pick yourself up. No matter who's your father or who's your mother ... I believe that you're not a mistake." ^[5]

Singles

TS Records released the album's lead single "Loliwe" on 31 August 2011. The music video for the single was directed by Ash Dibben and produced by Mastermax Films.

"Ndiza", the album's second single, was released on 25 November 2011.^[6] Zahara describes the song as "a place one goes to make their heart pure".^[7][8] The music video for the single, directed by Hypnotic Films, has eclipsed the 900,000 views mark on YouTube.^[9]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Music Review South Africa	92/100[10]
MOMIX	[11]

Upon its release, Loliwe was met with positive reviews. Simah of MOMIX gave the album an 8 out of 10, stating: "The album actually proves the opinions I've been hearing about it. And it serves as one of the most powerful debuts by a South African woman. She certainly possesses the golden touch because her talent is enough to make her shine and reach for her destiny."

Claire Martens of Music Review South Africa assigned a normalized score of 92 out of 100, adding: "Set against the strumming of her guitar and the infusion of African-style beats, the music tends towards simplicity and integrity. Her lyrics flow like poetry. This is going back to the nuts and bolts of music and creating something of substance from the rawness. Few musicians can do this and still create a product as powerful as Loliwe. Having said that, the album is not perfect. I thought the song “My Guitar” was her weakest offering and inappropriately placed. I also felt like the first part of album is stronger than the rest, “Umthwalo” and “Loliwe” being the pinnacle, throwing the rest of the album off kilter. Bar this, Loliwe comes close to perfection."

Accolades

At the 18th Annual South African Music Awards, the album won the Best Selling Album, Album of the Year and Best Smooth Urban Music Album accolades. ^[12] Loliwe was nominated for Best Produced Album and won Best Female Album at the 2011 Metro FM Music Awards.^[13][14]

Year	Awards ceremony	Award description(s)	Results
2012	18th Annual South African Music Awards	Best Smooth Urban Music Album	Won
		Best Selling Album	Won
		Album of the Year	Won
2011	Metro FM Music Awards	Best Produced Album	Nominated
		Best Female Album	Won

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Bulelwa Mkutukana, Robbie Malinga and Mojalefa Thebe. 

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Destiny"	Bulelwa Mkutukana		4:16
2.	"Umthwalo"	Bulelwa Mkutukana		5:33
3.	"Loliwe"	Bulelwa Mkutukana		4:32
4.	"Xa Bendingena Mama"	Bulelwa Mkutukana		3:19
5.	"Ndiza"	Bulelwa Mkutukana		3:23
6.	"Incwad' Encane" (featuring Georgyn Kanana)	Bulelwa Mkutukana and Georgyn Kanana		5:06
7.	"Lengoma"	Bulelwa Mkutukana		3:42
8.	"My Guitar"	Bulelwa Mkutukana		5:30
9.	"Thekwana"	Bulelwa Mkutukana		3:29
10.	"Away"	Bulelwa Mkutukana		4:19
11.	"Brand New Day"	Bulelwa Mkutukana		3:59
12.	"Shine"	Bulelwa Mkutukana		4:40

Bonus track
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
13.	"Lengoma (remix)"	Bulelwa Mkutukana		7:16

Personnel

• Georgyn Kanana - Featured artist
• Robbie Malinga - Producer
• Mojalefa Thebe - Producer

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label
South Africa	6 September 2011	CD, Digital download	TS Records

References

1. "Zahara strikes the right chord to multi-platinum". Get News. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
2. Tsumele, Edward (30 December 2011). "New sensation Zahara matches the best in the music world". Sowetan. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
3. Sibiya, Gugu (21 September 2011). "Zahara's CD flies off shelves". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
4. Mbonambi, Buhle (24 October 2011). "A blooming flower". Independent Online. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
5. Gallafant, Alex (9 November 2011). "South Africa’s Latest Pop Sensation – Zahara". PRI's The World. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
6. "Loliwe by Zahara". iTunes. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
7. "Interview with Zahara (OrgellaTV)". YouTube. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
8. "OrgellaTV: Exclusive Interview With Zahara…". OrgellaTV. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
9. "Zahara - Ndiza". YouTube. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
10. "Review: Zahara – Loliwe". Musicreview. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
11. "Zahara : Album Review". Momix. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
12. "THE 18TH ANNUAL MTN SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC AWARDS AND THE WINNERS ARE...". SAMA. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
13. "2011 Metro FM Music Awards - all the winners". TVSA. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
14. "AKA Dominates Metro FM Awards". MIO. Retrieved 29 September 2013.