Simphiwe Dana at the Joburg Theatre on 3 March 2023 in Johannesburg. Picture: Gallo Images/Oupa Bopape Simphiwe Dana is starting the year with vulnerability, intention and a soft but powerful return to self. The acclaimed singer has releasedMOYA, a deeply personal body of work that arrives quietly yet lands with emotional weight.
Unannounced and unforced, the album feels like a conversation rather than a performance, marking a season of change, healing and rediscovery for the artist. January is no coincidence. It is bothSimphiwe Dana’s birth month and her late mother’s, making the timing symbolic.
Traditionally, a period of reflection and renewal, the month mirrors the emotional space in which the album was created. It is about letting go of what has weighed heavily, honouring grief and stepping gently into new beginnings. “CreatingMOYAhelped me let go of my stoicism,” Simphiwe shares.
Read Full Article on The Citizen
[paywall]
“It made me human again, showing me that feeling your feelings instead of running from them is healthier for your mind and body.” For an artist known for strength and composure, this project represents a shift toward emotional honesty. She speaks openly about realising she no longer had to carry pain and anger alone, and that releasing the album was part of her personal release too. The title, which translates to spirit or breath, is layered with meaning.
Speaking to the innocence and wonder of childhood, a time before life’s complexities set in. Through this album,Simphiwereconnects with her spiritual centre, finding balance after years marked by grief, frustration and unspoken sorrow. She reminds listeners that healing does not always come loudly. Sometimes it arrives as a quiet breath.
[/paywall]
