Johannesburg – Remember those images of Arthur Mafokate and Kelly Khumalo that set social media ablaze a few weeks ago, fuelling rumours of a blossoming romance and even a possible marriage?
Well, it turns out the "wedding rehearsal" was all part of an elaborate publicity stunt for their brand-new duet, "Ngeke Balunge," which dropped on YouTube this past Sunday, 2 March.
The speculation began when snapshots of the two musicians surfaced online, suspiciously resembling scenes from a wedding preparation. My colleague Rolland “Simpi” Motaung and I even theorised that it could be a clever marketing ploy to generate buzz ahead of a new musical collaboration. And, as it turns out, we were right on the money.
The picturesque music video for "Ngeke Balunge" is set against a stunning natural backdrop, with the "love birds" surrounded by lush green trees, blooming flowers, majestic mountains, and a tranquil water feature.
Khumalo's lyrics, "Ngeke balunge, ngeke basqede," can be interpreted as a direct jab at those who cautioned Mafokate about the perceived dangers of dating a woman labelled by some as a black "widow spider," referencing the controversies that have followed Khumalo in recent years.
The afro-soul songstress sings of a love that transcends all comparisons, holding "her bae" close in scenes where the couple dons outfits strikingly similar to those seen in the initial images that circulated online.
Mafokate, in turn, praises his sphalaphala's beauty, remarking on her stunning appearance even first thing in the morning – a time when most people are, shall we say, less than camera-ready.
"Makeup dololo ubaby wami ibunju," Mafokate sings, using the kasie term "ibunju" to describe a woman who is exceptionally gorgeous.
His lyrics are undoubtedly a response to some of the less-than-flattering comments that surfaced on social media when the initial images were released.
Other lyrics include: "Tough luck to the haters, sobabona later. Baby sibenzela ifilimu babukele thina. Bathi ungidlisile ngithi yebo ungidlise kamnandi. Abondaba bakhona. Abantu bazogcina ngokuhleba kuphela" [Rough translation: "Tough luck to the haters, we'll see them later. Baby, we're making a movie, they're just watching. They say she's bewitched me, I say yes, she's bewitched me sweetly. Mind your own business. People will just end up gossiping."]
The song itself is a vibrant and energetic blend of Mafokate's Kwaito influences and Khumalo's signature afro-pop vocals, creating a distinctly South African sound.
While other artists, such as Makhadzi, have used cryptic social media posts to announce new music, Mafokate and Khumalo's strategy was particularly well-executed. It cleverly played on public opinion and the controversies that have dogged both artists for years.
