Ringo Madlingozi, Phila Madlingozi & ThandaMusic Honour the Women Who Shaped Them on New EP, Uthando Ngundoqo

A moving father-and-sons collaboration born from loss, love and the far-reaching influence of motherhood.

South African soul icon Ringo Madlingozi returns with one of the most personal releases of his celebrated career, joining forces with his sons, Phila Madlingozi and ThandaMusic, on the forthcoming two-track EP, UTHANDO NGUNDOQO [Love Is Essential], available for pre-add from 16 October and set for release on 6 November. The project brings together three voices, one family and a shared story of love, loss and healing – as well as a reminder to all of us that “Love Is Essential”.

At the heart of the EP is ‘Intliziyo Yam’ [My Heart], a deeply emotional reflection on grief, remembrance and the enduring bond between parent and child. Written following the passing of Ringo’s mother earlier this year, the song explores the profound void left by loss while celebrating the love, wisdom and strength that continue to guide us long after our loved ones are gone.

The song carries a particularly personal significance for the Madlingozi family. While Ringo mourns the recent loss of his mother, both Phila and Thanda have each experienced the loss of their own mothers. Although their journeys stem from different chapters of the family’s story, they are united by a shared understanding of grief, resilience and the immeasurable impact that mothers have on shaping the lives of their children.

More than a song about loss, ‘Intliziyo Yam’ is an ode to the women who nurtured, guided and inspired them. It is a tribute to mothers whose love continues to live on through the values, memories and strength they leave behind.

Completing the project is the EP’s title track, UTHANDO NGUNDOQO [Love Is Essential], a powerful affirmation that love remains the cornerstone of family, healing and human connection. Together, the two songs form a moving narrative that honours those we have lost while celebrating the love that continues to sustain us.

“This project comes from a very real place in our family’s journey”, says Ringo Madlingozi. “Each of us has experienced the loss of a mother. That pain never leaves you, but neither does the love. These songs are about carrying that love with us, honouring the women who raised us, and recognising that love remains the foundation of everything we do”.

Marking a significant moment in the Madlingozi family’s musical legacy, the EP brings together the unmistakable voice of Ringo Madlingozi with the contemporary soul of Phila Madlingozi and ThandaMusic. The result is a deeply personal body of work that bridges generations while remaining rooted in authenticity, storytelling and heartfelt emotion.

Fans will be able to pre-add UTHANDO NGUNDOQO [Love Is Essential] from 16 October. Those who pre-add the EP will receive ‘Intliziyo Yam’ immediately, offering an early introduction to the project’s deeply personal message ahead of the full EP release on 6 November.

With ‘Intliziyo Yam’ and ‘Uthando Ngundoqo’, the artists remind us that grief and love are forever intertwined, and that the greatest tribute we can offer those we have lost is to continue living the values they instilled in us.