After nearly a decade away from releasing a full body of work, South African singer-songwriter Thabsie has made a highly anticipated return with her new EP, While You Wait, a project that marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in her career.
The six-track release arrives nine years after her acclaimed debut album, Songs About You, and serves as a preview of her long-awaited sophomore album, which will be released through her independent label, Song Bird Entertainment.
For Thabsie, whose real name is Bathabise Vokwana, the timing finally felt right to return to the spotlight. While she has always been known for taking her time with new music, she admits that waiting for the “perfect moment” can often become an endless cycle.
“I missed my first love, which is music, so the time could not be better,” she said.
Over the years, Thabsie has built a reputation as one of South Africa’s most distinctive R&B voices, blending soulful vocals with heartfelt songwriting. Rather than chasing trends or releasing music frequently, she has chosen to focus on creating deeply personal records that reflect her own experiences and artistic growth.
While You Wait explores the emotional highs and lows of romantic relationships, touching on themes of love, heartbreak, vulnerability and the complicated emotions that come with trying to leave a relationship that no longer serves you.
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The project captures the inner conflict between recognising that a relationship has become unhealthy while still feeling emotionally connected to someone you cannot easily walk away from. Through honest lyrics and smooth R&B production, Thabsie delivers a body of work that many listeners are likely to find deeply relatable.
Looking back at her musical journey, the singer believes her artistry has evolved significantly since the release of Songs About You.
“I’ve been spending years in the studio experimenting, honing my sound and growing, especially as a songwriter,” she explained.
That growth is evident throughout the EP, which combines contemporary R&B with nostalgic influences. Several tracks cleverly incorporate interpolations of well-known early 2000s hits, including Harrison Crump’s dance anthem Once Again, while also paying tribute to South African classics such as Where I Should Be by Mina Nawe and DJ Tira’s Won’t Let Go.
The result is a project that feels both fresh and familiar, bridging generations of music lovers while celebrating local musical heritage.
Collaboration has always been central to Thabsie’s career, and the new EP continues that tradition.
“My whole career is defined by collaborations; that’s what I love the most about it. You can’t create without collaboration,” she said.
“I was blessed enough to work on this EP with people that I admired, very talented producers and songwriters.”
One of the standout moments on the project is the opening track, Good Time, which features award-winning rapper Emtee. The collaboration brings together two artists known for their emotional storytelling and melodic approach to music.
For Thabsie, working alongside Emtee was a personal milestone.
The singer described the collaboration as a dream come true and one of the highlights of the entire project, saying his contribution added the perfect finishing touch to the EP.
Since bursting onto the scene, Thabsie has become one of South Africa’s most recognisable voices through both her solo releases and collaborations with some of the country’s biggest artists. Her breakout success came with songs such as African Queen, Ngiyaz’fela Ngawe, Finally, and collaborations with Kwesta, Black Motion, Sun-El Musician and DJ Ganyani, earning her a loyal following and critical acclaim.
Outside of music, she has successfully expanded her brand into entrepreneurship, fashion and digital content creation.
Over the past few years, Thabsie has partnered with leading lifestyle and beauty brands while sharing travel, fashion and wellness content with her growing online audience. She says the move into content creation happened naturally during a period when she wanted to challenge herself creatively.
“Content creation came at a time when I wanted to pivot,” she explained.
“It has shown me that I can create outside of the music as well. It’s become a big passion of mine and an outlet to express all the different things I’m passionate about.”
Known for her effortlessly elegant style, Thabsie has also become a respected fashion figure within the entertainment industry. Whether attending awards ceremonies, performing on stage or creating digital campaigns, she consistently embraces timeless, sophisticated looks.
For her, fashion has always been about confidence rather than following trends.
“How an outfit makes me feel is the most important thing. I also feel like putting effort into how you look is a big form of respect for yourself and others.”
As she prepares for the release of her second studio album, While You Wait offers fans a glimpse into the artist she has become over the past nine years. The EP reflects not only her musical evolution but also her personal journey as an independent artist, entrepreneur and creative who continues to grow on her own terms.
With renewed confidence, a refined sound and a fresh independent vision, Thabsie appears ready to begin one of the most exciting chapters of her career. If While You Wait is any indication, fans won’t have to wait much longer to hear what comes next.
