Letoya Makhene, the celebrated actress and sangoma known for her role in the iconic soap opera "Generations," is finally ready to share her story, and she's doing it through music.
Her new song, "Abantu," is set to drop on Friday, September 20, and it promises to be a powerful reflection of her journey through heartbreak and healing.
Makhene's latest track comes after a tumultuous period in her personal life, marked by a very public divorce from her estranged wife, Lebo Keswa. Keswa has been making headlines with her "break-up tour," sharing her side of the story on social media and various podcasts.
Their divorce has sparked intense conversation on social media, with Keswa making serious accusations against Makhene. She alleged that Makhene cheated on her, claiming she was a "fake gobela" (a traditional healer), and even going so far as to call her a drug addict.
In a scathing letter, Keswa detailed the reasons for her decision to dissolve their marriage, claiming that Makhene had umjolo (cheated) with a Nigerian man in exchange for drugs. She also accused Makhene of physically assaulting her on three separate occasions, even burning her with hot water.
"Letoya has destroyed both the homes that we’ve lived in. Breaking windows and burning curtains at my grandmother’s home and breaking furniture at our home," Keswa wrote, highlighting the extent of the alleged damage.
Despite the accusations, Makhene has remained relatively quiet about the divorce, choosing to focus on her music and her spiritual journey. "Abantu" is a testament to her resilience, a song that reflects on the complexities of human behaviour and the power of forgiveness.
"It's about how people behave, how they can lift you up or tear you down. It specifically speaks of how careless we as people are with our tongues," Makhene said, revealing the song's personal significance.
She shared that the song is a reflection of her own experiences, a journey of healing and self-discovery.
"Being in the studio and working on what I love most has always been an exciting process. I'm blessed in my life. I've consistently been surrounded by the right energies every time I walk into the studio," she said.
"Working on this, specifically, was both intense and magical as this song is so close to home. The magic was the healing that it brought me after the trauma I've suffered," Makhene continued, highlighting the therapeutic power of music for her.
Makhene revealed that the song was a gift from God, accelerating her healing process.
"This song aligns with me perfectly. I worked on this Afro-soul song for almost two months," she said, emphasizing her dedication to the project.
For Makhene, music is an integral part of her spiritual calling.
"Music is my life and soul. I feel so blessed to have been chosen by God and my ancestors to carry such a gem of a gift," she shared, expressing her deep connection to her craft.
"Abantu" is produced by Nkululeko LordJazz Sithole and written and co-produced by multi-award-winning artist and record label owner Ntethe of Ntethe Global Effect.
This collaboration with Ntethe Global Effect is a dream come true for Makhene.
"I've always had this vision for myself and how I would work with other artists. Ntethe and his team literally aligned with every single one of my plans and vision. They are going places," she said, praising the team's dedication and talent.
Makhene is currently working on other projects that she plans to share next year. "Abantu" is a testament to her resilience and her ability to turn pain into art, offering a message of hope and healing to those who have endured similar experiences.
