South Africa’s rising stars SAI HLE, the vibrant sister duo of Amahle and Siphosethu Koom, are on a mission to make the world dance — and feel — again. Their euphoric new single, “UBUMNND,” produced by Lord Jazz and INFERNO and released under Platoon, is a radiant celebration of joy, unity, and community. Blending soulful harmonies with uplifting rhythms, the song captures the heart of Amapiano and Dance music — a sound that’s as healing as it is electrifying.
We sat down with the duo to talk about their creative journey, their bond as sisters, and the message behind their latest release.
1. Congratulations on the release of “UBUMNND”! Can you share the story or moment that inspired this beautiful track?
We were going through a really rough patch in life when we wrote UBUMNND. It came from a place of reminding ourselves that joy still exists, even when life feels heavy. The song speaks about finding happiness no matter your circumstances; being surrounded by the people who matter, and choosing to dance through the bad times. It’s a reminder that even when things aren’t perfect, joy is still possible.
2. The word “UBUMNND” carries such warmth and energy – what does it personally mean to each of you?
For us, UBUMNND is a song that speaks directly to the heart. It’s about joy, light, and the power of positivity. Personally, it represents what’s possible when you choose to see the good, even in hard times. It’s about unfiltered joy, freedom, and gratitude! A celebration of life, no matter what season you’re in.
3. Your harmonies and chemistry as sisters are magical. How does your sibling bond influence your songwriting and studio dynamics?
It’s funny because when we’re in the studio, we don’t really see ourselves as sisters. We see ourselves as creatives. We show up as artists first, and once we start creating, everything just flows naturally. There’s an unspoken understanding between us, we feed off each other’s energy. Whatever comes out of that space is honest and real, and that’s what makes our chemistry work.
4. This single feels like a celebration of joy, freedom, and unity. Why was it important for you to center those themes in your music right now?
Everyone needs unfiltered joy every now and then. After going through a difficult season, we realized how important it is to hold onto moments of togetherness… to be around people who make you feel seen, loved, and understood. Music has the power to unite people, and UBUMNND is our way of reminding everyone that joy can coexist with pain. You can cry and still dance.
5. You blend Xhosa, Zulu, and English seamlessly in your sound. How intentional is that multilingual approach, and how do different languages bring out different emotions in your music?
It’s something we’ve been practicing for years. We’re Xhosa, Zulu, and English speakers, so naturally, those languages are part of who we are. But blending them creatively has become a skill; it allows us to express emotion in a fuller way. Some things just feel more powerful in isiXhosa, others softer in Zulu, or more direct in English. Mixing languages lets us paint with a wider emotional palette.
6. “UBUMNND” also marks your partnership with Platoon and management by Khuli Chana and Phenyo Kgaffe – how has joining this powerhouse team elevated your artistry?
It’s been truly life-changing. Phenyo has been part of our journey from the very beginning. He’s not just our manager but someone who’s believed in our vision long before things started to take shape. When he played Desire for Khuli Chana and Khuli said, “I’ve been waiting for you to ask,” everything shifted. Khuli is now not only our mentor but also our business partner, and having him in our corner has been such a blessing. Together with the support from Platoon, we’ve been able to refine our artistry, build structure, and express our creativity with even more confidence and direction.
7. What does being the first Amapiano and Dance sister duo signed to Platoon mean to you, and how do you plan to make your mark under this banner?
It’s definitely pressure. But pressure is beautiful. Being the first of our kind gives us the opportunity to leave a mark and do something new within the amapiano and dance scene. We want to show that women can lead in this space, that amapiano can be pushed creatively, and that our African sound can be reimagined in powerful ways.
8. The track features production from Lord Jazz, INFERNO, and Key Snow on Stereo Mastering, Robin Kohl with Dolby Atmos mastering – can you tell us what that creative process was like in studio?
It was magical! LordJazz has this incredible ability to help us bring a sound to life, he just gets us. Inferno added that special spark and edge we needed, and together they helped us bring our vision full circle. Key Snow’s mix and master took everything to another level. His precision is unmatched. And we can’t forget Robin Kohl from Jazzworx, who handled the Dolby Atmos mastering. He gave the song its final glow. Being the executive producers of the song was hectic, but seeing it come to life definitely makes those stressful sessions and days worth it!
9. Your sound feels global yet deeply rooted in African rhythm and soul. How do you balance authenticity with the ambition to reach international audiences?
We believe it’s all about observation and translation. Our goal is to take the African rhythm and soul that’s in our DNA and translate it in a way that connects globally. It’s like teaching someone a new alphabet, you meet them where they are, speak their language, but still express your core truth. We want people to dance to our music anywhere in the world, and still feel Africa in every beat.
10. The South African music scene, especially Amapiano, continues to make waves globally. What’s your take on where the genre is headed next?
Amapiano has the potential for real longevity. It’s a genre that constantly evolves and tells our stories in fresh ways. Just like the Caribbean has dancehall, we believe amapiano is becoming Southern Africa’s version of that. A genre that will live for decades and continue to represent who we are.
11. With collaborations in the works with Khuli Chana and Sun-El Musician, what can fans expect from these upcoming releases?
We’re so excited about what’s coming! Our collaboration with Sun-EL Musician, Koyika, is already out! It’s soulful, grounding, and carries a strong lyrical message, with that signature Sun-EL bassline we all love. Working with Khuli Chana has also been inspiring! He understands our vision as women in music and gives us space to be bold and experimental. Fans can expect more collaborations that stretch our sound and show new sides of who we are.
12. You’ve described “UBUMNND” as a “piece of your heart.” How do you stay emotionally honest in your music while also making it fun and danceable?
For us, it’s all about balance. We let ourselves feel everything… the sadness, the joy, the uncertainty; and then we let the rhythm carry it. You can be vulnerable and still make people move. That’s the heart of our motto: Dance through it all. Feel the emotions, but dance while doing it.
13. Joy and togetherness are recurring themes in your work – how do you hope your music impacts your listeners’ lives?
We hope our music gives people permission to feel, to dance, to cry, to heal, to celebrate. We want to remind people that even in the middle of chaos, there’s still something to smile about. If our music can bring even a little bit of joy or peace into someone’s day, that’s everything to us.
14. As young women in the Amapiano and dance scene, what challenges have you faced, and how are you carving your space in a male-dominated industry?
It definitely takes tenacity. The industry is still very male-dominated, and as young women, we’ve had to learn to stand our ground, stay true to our vision, and keep evolving. The right people eventually come but they must find you moving, growing, and becoming. We’re carving our space by showing up as our full selves and letting our work speak for itself.
15. Finally, when fans press play on “UBUMNND”, what feeling or message do you hope stays with them long after the song ends?
Unfiltered joy. Freedom. Togetherness. We want people to feel that burst of life that comes when you remember who you are, and that you can still dance no matter what’s happening around you. If listeners walk away with that? We’ve done what we came to do.
With “UBUMNND,” SAI HLE have planted a seed of light in South African music — one that celebrates life, love, and the power of rhythm to heal.
Make sure to stream “UBUMNND” on all streaming platforms HERE.
