Langalakhe Mabena
VETERAN musician Sandra “Sandy” Ndebele is back in the headlines, and this time she is turning up the heat with sizzling visuals for her latest song, Abalalanga, which has sparked a lively debate on social media.
The award-winning entertainer, who has spent more than two decades in the music industry, appears determined to keep fans talking as she continues to reinvent her brand and command attention.
In the Gqom-inspired offering, Sandy teams up with Urban Grooves sensation Camellita, delivering a collaboration that is already attracting attention, with some music lovers tipping it as a potential
festive-season anthem.
The song was produced by renowned hitmaker Mr Brown, while the eye-catching music video was directed and edited by the acclaimed Andy Cutta Shot.
While many fans have been impressed by the collaboration and its energetic visuals, others have been drawn into a different conversation, questioning whether Sandy’s daring stage image sits comfortably with her responsibilities as Bulawayo City Council Ward 20 councillor.
One social media user, Omega Ncube, was among those who applauded the collaboration, suggesting that more partnerships between local artistes could help position Bulawayo as an entertainment powerhouse.
“This is a certified hit, and as Bulawayo, I think let’s focus on this genre. If Sandy gets more features like these with artistes such as Black Diva and Mzoe 7, to mention a few, we can make Bulawayo the home of entertainment,” he commented.
However, not everyone has been impressed by Sandy’s revealing look in the video, with some arguing that her public office comes with expectations of dignity and decorum.
But the singer has not been left to face the criticism alone.
Coming to her defence, another social media user, Tafadzwa Sibanda, argued that Sandy’s musical career should not be judged through the lens of her political position.
“As a country, we need to understand that this lady has two distinct sides to her life, which are being an artiste and a politician. She understands the difference and does not mix the two, and neither should we.
“We must learn to separate her artistic side from her political role. We should not judge her art through the eyes of politics or mistake the artiste for the politician. Let us learn to appreciate the artist without necessarily agreeing with the politician or the side she represents,” he said.
Sandy, who has previously spoken about juggling her two demanding roles, maintains that music and public service can complement each other.
In an earlier exclusive interview with this reporter, she explained that both responsibilities give her an opportunity to connect with people, albeit in different ways.
“My role as a councillor is to serve people, while my role as a musician is to entertain them, but both are ultimately about connecting with people.
“I use my brand, Sandra Ndebele, as a platform to serve my community. Through these connections, we’ve been able to attract support, including initiatives like drilling boreholes in the areas I represent,” she said.
For now, Abalalanga is doing exactly what music is often expected to do, which is getting people talking, dancing and debating.
Whether it is the infectious sound, the daring visuals or the politics surrounding her public image, Sandy has once again found herself at the centre of the conversation.
