South Africa’s private school Amapiano movement has become a home for artists who place as much emphasis on storytelling as they do on production. While the genre continues to evolve, a new wave of vocalists is proving that its future lies not only in infectious rhythms but in honest, emotionally driven music. Among those voices is Olwando, born Thando Shube, an emerging singer and songwriter whose artistry is built on authenticity, vulnerability and purpose.
For Shube, the name Olwando represents more than a stage persona. It is the creative extension of who she is.
“While Thando is the person who experiences everyday life, Olwando is the voice that gives those experiences a melody,” she tells Khul Media News. “She is a dreamer, songwriter and storyteller who believes music has the power to heal, comfort and bring people together.”
That belief has shaped every step of her journey.
Although many know her from the UWC Creative Arts Choir, Olwando says her ambition to become a recording artist came long before joining the ensemble. She was already writing and recording music, but saw the choir as an opportunity to strengthen her craft rather than begin it. Her time with the choir refined her vocal technique, strengthened her confidence and introduced her to the discipline required of professional musicians. More importantly, it reinforced the idea that music has the power to unite people regardless of language or background.
“It gave me both technical skills and the confidence to believe that my voice deserves to be heard,” she says.
Those lessons continue to influence her work as she develops her own artistic identity.
Like many independent artists, Olwando describes her career as a continuous learning process. Working alongside different producers has taught her how to communicate her creative vision while remaining open to collaboration, experimentation and growth.
She believes songwriting has also become more instinctive over time.
“I’ve realised that songwriting is like a muscle that you have to keep exercising,” she says. “The more I write, the more naturally ideas come.”
That willingness to keep creating has allowed her to explore different melodies, expand her vocal range and become increasingly confident in expressing herself through music.
Her artistic home has become private school Amapiano, a genre she believes creates space for vulnerability in a way few others do.
“What attracted me most to private school Amapiano is its emotional depth,” she explains. “It’s not only music for the dance floor, it leaves room for storytelling, vulnerability and soulful melodies.”
Unlike artists who begin with lyrics, Olwando starts with emotion. Before writing a single word, she spends time listening to an instrumental, allowing it to shape the feeling she wants to communicate. The melodies often come first, with the lyrics following naturally.
“My goal is always the same,” she says. “To create something honest and relatable.”
Life remains her greatest source of inspiration. Love, healing, grief, hope, friendships and personal growth all find their way into her music, alongside stories shared by the people around her. She also draws inspiration from prayer, nature, silence and moments of reflection.
“I believe vulnerability creates connection,” she says. “That’s something I always try to bring into my music.”
Her musical influences are equally diverse. Growing up, she admired artists such as Lira, Jill Scott, India.Arie and Anita Baker, whose timeless songwriting and soulful performances left a lasting impression. More recently, she has found inspiration in private school Amapiano artists including Babalwa M, Jinger Stone and Nanette, while remaining committed to developing a sound that is distinctly her own.
“My inspiration isn’t tied to one artist,” she says. “I take pieces of inspiration from many musicians while staying true to my own voice.”
Building that voice has not come without challenges.
Like many emerging artists, Olwando admits that learning to believe in herself has sometimes been as difficult as making the music itself. Navigating the pressures of an increasingly competitive industry while balancing branding, networking and marketing has taught her that success requires far more than talent alone.
“Everyone’s journey happens at its own pace,” she says.
Among the projects closest to her heart is an unreleased collaboration with producer LuniQue, which she describes as her most vulnerable work yet. The song explores the emotional journey of opening one’s heart after experiencing loss, beginning with the poignant line, “I’ve been building quiet walls.”
“I allowed myself to lean into gentleness rather than trying to be guarded,” she says. “I think listeners will hear a different side of me, not just as a vocalist, but as a songwriter.”
Ultimately, Olwando hopes her music leaves people feeling lighter than they did before they pressed play.
“Whether someone is celebrating, grieving, falling in love or simply trying to get through the day, I want my music to remind them that they’re not alone. If my songs can give someone hope, peace, comfort or even the courage to keep going, then I’ve accomplished something meaningful.”
She describes herself in three words: soulful, optimistic and passionate. Those qualities are evident not only in her music, but in the way she approaches her career. Looking ahead, she hopes to release music consistently, collaborate with artists she admires and perform for audiences across South Africa and beyond, while remaining rooted in her identity and culture.
Her advice to aspiring musicians reflects the mindset that has carried her this far.
“Believe in your uniqueness. Nobody can tell your story the way you can. Keep learning, practise consistently, accept constructive criticism and don’t be afraid to start before you feel ready.”
As private school Amapiano continues to expand, artists like Olwando are demonstrating that the genre has room for more than infectious grooves. It has room for sincerity, introspection and stories that reflect the realities of everyday life.
Asked what she hopes people remember about her, her answer is simple.
“I hope they remember that Olwando is love personified. Love is the foundation of everything I create. Whether I’m singing about heartbreak, healing, joy or life’s struggles, every song is created with genuine care and intention. I want people to feel that sincerity every time they listen to my music.”
For an artist still in the early chapters of her career, Olwando has already established a clear sense of purpose. Her music is not driven by the pursuit of trends or commercial success, but by a desire to create meaningful connections through honest storytelling. In a rapidly changing music landscape, that commitment to authenticity may prove to be her greatest strength, and one of the reasons she is an artist worth listening to.