AfroFuture has released “Mngani Wam”, the second single from its pan-African collaborative project, Bal’ing on the Continent, bringing together South African producer K-Zaka, genre-blending duo Uncool Angels and Amapiano vocalist Philharmonic in a warm ode to friendship.
The track follows the project’s first release, “Funk Sauce (Wagwan)” by Rwandan star Juno Kizigenza, which was released in June 2025.
Distributed via TheContinent.Live in partnership with Orchard West Africa, the project is designed to strengthen cultural exchange and music distribution links across African markets.
“Mngani Wam” (my friend) draws from lived experiences and shared journeys, reflecting on loyalty, companionship and the idea of chosen family.
Built on a foundation of Afrohouse and Amapiano, the minimalist production gives room for emotion, storytelling and vocal depth to carry the record. The result is a reflective yet uplifting soundscape that speaks to values resonant across the continent.
The single is part of a wider vision inspired by AfroFuture’s travels across Africa during Season Five of the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
While accompanying the league, the cultural platform connected with artists and producers from different regions, sparking conversations around collaboration and storytelling through music.
Those interactions formed the basis of Bal’ing on the Continent, a project that brings together diverse sounds, languages and perspectives into a cohesive body of work, using music as a bridge to promote basketball culture across Africa.
Khadijat El-Alawa, Head of Music and Talents at Culture Management Group (AfroFuture), said the aim was to encourage unity and collaboration across borders. She noted that the project reflects one of AfroFuture’s core pillars over the past nine years: using culture as a tool to bring Africans together.
An exclusive listening session for industry stakeholders was held last December, where early previews of the project received an enthusiastic response, paving the way for a continental rollout expected to resonate with audiences across Africa and beyond.
K-Zaka, born Okabetse John Hlongwane, hails from Northam in Limpopo and is known for his Afrofuturistic blend of Afrohouse, electronic music and African rhythms. Since relocating to Pretoria in 2016, he has built a reputation through DJ residencies, a weekly mix slot on Tuks FM and the success of his breakout single “Qhubeka”.
Philharmonic, whose real name is Mbuso Philharmonique Twala, is a Soweto-born vocalist recognised for his soulful tone within the Amapiano scene. He has featured on popular tracks including “Banike”, “Zulu” and “Jaeger”, earning praise for adding emotional depth to contemporary dance music.
Uncool Angels, formed in 2023, comprise Nnana Nthangeni from Soweto and Refrieca Consent Chiloane from Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga. The female DJ duo, known for their high-energy, movement-driven sets, blend Amapiano, 3-Step, Afro House and Afro Tech, drawing on their backgrounds in professional dance to create immersive live performances. In a short time, they have performed across South Africa and beyond, establishing themselves as one of the country’s most exciting emerging acts.
