The Soil – reunited and it feels so good

Celebrating The Soil’s soul food.

Celebrating the last 18 years of making music together, The Soil took the Theatre of Marcellus at Emperors Palace by storm in March. The group spoiled audiences with their signature blend of traditional African rhythms and contemporary grooves to bring their story to life.

The vibrant trio, Buhle Mda, Luphindo Ngxanga and Ntsika Fana Ngxanga, use their Sowetan roots as the driving force behind their stirring lyrics and distinct African sound. Blending their voices through angelic harmonies and composing nostalgic melodies, The Soil has returned to uplift the souls of listeners across the world.  

 “We are so excited to be back and to be able to connect with our fans through the power of music, with beautiful songs from our upcoming album and tracks from our earlier work.” “We can’t wait to share this journey with our fans and narrate the journey from where it all began until now.”  

“Stories are a way to draw in families and communities. As south africans, we use music and songs to tell stories all the time. We do it at funerals, strikes, at church… It’s a part of us.”

Each member has taken time to focus on their solo career, but after a seven-year hiatus they have returned to the studio together. Through the group’s extensive discography, including songs like ‘ Joy (We Are Family)’, ‘linkomo’ and ‘Hamba Uyosebenza’, fans have been drawn and kept captivated by their deeply Afrocentric sound, combining elements of different African cultures and genres that tap into nostalgia despite the pain of the past.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDHnN_G7y_M

Expressing their passion for their community, the group headlined the Children of The Soil Arts Affair – hosted by Masakhane Arts Center – at the MxolisiDicky Jacobs Stadium in Upington, Northern Cape. This annual arts festival celebrates and provides a platform for local artists and craftsmen to exhibit their proudest works. For The Soil, the Affair was a chance to showcase their passion for youth upliftment and to provide support to those in need.  

They are proud supporters of the Nal’ibali (isiXhosa for ‘here’s the story’) national reading-for-enjoyment campaign which is geared towards sparking children’s potential through storytelling and reading. Given that The Soil’s songs tell stories of their on experiences, they fervently spread the power of storytelling in shaping children’s futures through their close work with literary organisations.  

“Through our music, we talk about real issues in the kasi. Where we come from, drug addiction is a major problem,” the group exclaims. “Kids we once jammed with are stealing and begging to feed their addiction…It’s social issues like these that are close to our hearts, and something we try to talk about through our music.”  

The award-winning group remains committed to Nal’ibali’s Children’s Literacy Charter, which thoroughly outlines the 11 rights that all children should have to flourish as South African citizens. This charter serves as a guideline for parents and caregivers to aid in literacy skills development.  

“Stories are a way to draw in families and communities. We should get more artists and singers that resonate with people to narrate stories. As South Africans, we use music and songs to tell stories all the time. We do it at funerals, strikes, at church… It’s a part of us.”  

What’s behind the name?

The name of the group reflects their belief that God created man using soil and, thousands of years later, gave a voice to the soil. Their acapella lends itself to them wanting listeners to experience this voice.