Unathi Nkayi is back with new music — and she's bringing Soweto with her.

The media personality, radio host and singer dropped her new single Isikhwele on Friday, 12 June 2026. The track features kwaito star Professor and rising artist Meez. It's about jealousy in romantic relationships. But the project is bigger than the song itself.

Unathi calls it a love letter to Soweto and an ode to South African couture. The music video, which she directed and executive-produced, is a visual tribute to the township. Most of the cast comes from iBhoni Soweto Tours, a bicycle tour group based at the Hector Pieterson Memorial precinct.

The timing is deliberate. June marks the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprisings, when students protested against Afrikaans being forced as a medium of instruction in 1976. That protest ended with police opening fire on children. The anniversary adds weight to Unathi's project.

Fashion is front and centre in the video. Unathi wears seven different looks from South African designers — MaXhosa Africa, Sun Goddess, Naked Ape and Berend Legacy. One of her favourite looks was made by Maxhosa Atelier, with jewels from Berend Legacy and glasses from Khosi eGqeberha. Photographer Nick Boulton shot three of the looks for the "Isikhwele Series."

Unathi explained why she chose to work with Professor. "I've admired Professor for years and wanted to release something meaningful before I release the full album this spring," she told The Citizen.

She also reflected on her creative growth. "I'm really proud of how I've grown and evolved creatively, especially in a time where everything moves so fast with technology and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. For me, it didn't feel right to just drop a dance challenge and move on. I've always been known for telling deeper stories, and I wanted this release to reflect that."

Isikhwele is the lead single from her upcoming album African Love, expected later this year. The music video premieres on her YouTube channel, Unathi.Africa, on 12 June.

"ISIKHWELE – The Series. My music video for my new single ISIKHWELE will be available on my YouTube channel Unathi.Africa THIS FRIDAY June 12. The video is my love letter to Soweto and an ode to South African couture."

Unathi announced the release on Instagram with artwork and a snippet. She wrote: "ISIKHWELE. OUT JUNE 12. UNATHI x PROFESSOR Feat MEEZ. SINGLE and VIDEO on my YouTube channel. My LOVE letter to SOWETO. My ODE to South African Couture."

She said she wanted to use her broadcasting experience to craft a visual story. "I wanted to tell a story through the film. I wanted to express myself in the creative direction, storyline, editing and styling. I wanted to show how my artistry has evolved."

Unathi Nkayi has been a fixture in South African entertainment for years — as a radio host on Metro FM, a TV presenter, and a former Idols judge. Her last album was 2020's The Dawn of Love. Now she's stepping back into music with a project that celebrates Soweto, South African fashion, and her own creative evolution.