Bhila to share stage with Phila Dlozi in South Africa

After a standout performance at the Bulawayo Chill and Gin event last month, where rising Afro-fusion artiste Bhila shared the stage with Sylent Nqo and South Africa’s Phila Dlozi, he has been invited to perform in South Africa alongside Afro-soul musicians Phila Dlozi and Canary.

Phila Dlozi is known for hits like “Ikhandlela” “Babekazi” and “Amalobolo”, and for collaborations with artistes such as Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa, including tracks like “Idlozi Lami” and “Ngyamthanda”. His music often fuses spiritual themes with Afro-pop rhythms.

For Bhila, mostly known for his hit song Emaweni, the Johannesburg show on April 18 is more than a booking, it is a milestone.

“It’s a big deal. I’ve been given an opportunity to export my music to a foreign land, something I’ve always wanted.

There’s pressure because what they see, becomes the benchmark of Bulawayo music,” he said.

He sees the performance as a chance to introduce South African audiences to his music and cultural roots.

The opportunity came after Phila Dlozi saw Bhila perform in Bulawayo and extended the invitation.

“I assume he enjoyed my performance and felt it would be great for me to open for him in South Africa,” Bhila said.

The connection runs deeper than a single show, grounded in shared culture and work ethic.

“Before anything, there’s a shared cultural history with the Zulu nation. We’re all hard workers and create impactful music. Through collaborations like this, we elevate each other.”

Bhila hopes the show will build long-term creative partnerships.

“I pray and hope we’ll have a good show and build a concrete relationship that will elevate our work to different spaces.”

He said he will perform his current set without changes, confident it will resonate with the new audience.

“I’m not introducing anything new honestly. The current set is what’s winning us these gigs, so I’m keeping it as it is. To the South African audience, it will be new and refreshing. We’re keeping it simple and nice.”

The musician, known for blending music with storytelling, a skill honed through his theatre background, kicked off 2026 with the single “Jikela”. The track serves as an introduction to the projects he plans to release in the coming months. In Johannesburg, he will perform three unreleased songs, each telling its own story.

“I have about three songs that are exclusive that I’m going to be pushing in my live act. They carry different stories.”

He has also learnt the importance of professional support and consistency in sound.

“The importance of having a team is underrated. Once you have a team, you’ll win because it means you’ve shifted from treating music as a hobby to pushing it professionally.

“Also, having your own regular band helps a lot. The sound will always be intact because you all understand what the vocalist wants and the direction of the songs.”