Young Afropop artists Naledi Aphiwe and Mawelele have released their anticipated single 'Come Duze', marking the end of their collaborative series for now. The track, dropped on January 30, 2026, concludes a storyline of love songs that began with personal experiences. Fans have praised its emotional depth and catchy rhythms.
In Johannesburg, Gauteng, 19-year-old Naledi Aphiwe and Mawelele unveiled 'Come Duze' on digital platforms, wrapping up their joint musical efforts. This fourth single follows 'Naledi', 'Romeo & Juliet', and 'Buya Ekhaya', forming a narrative inspired by their real-life romance and challenges. The earlier tracks explored new love, passion, heartbreak, and forgiveness, while 'Come Duze'—meaning 'Come Closer' in Zulu—focuses on reconnection and rebuilding trust.
Produced by Kinglee Beats, the three-minute Afropop tune blends Mawelele's smooth R&B with Naledi's energetic vocals, creating soothing melodies and a South African bounce. It mixes Zulu and English lyrics, emphasizing themes of pulling closer after tough times. The official music video on Naledi's YouTube channel quickly amassed over 14,000 views, with fans sharing stories of love and reconciliation on social media.
Naledi confirmed this as their last collaboration for the time being, stating, “For now, yes, it is the last collaboration.” She explained the decision stemmed from clashing schedules and a desire to focus on solo projects, adding, “We felt we still owed it to our supporters to have a happy ending. It is time we focus on our respective projects. We have given people good moments to hold on to. Our collaboration has boosted our careers, we won awards, Broke Records, and reached unbelievable milestones together.” Despite initial plans for a full album, they opted for a series of singles to tell a complete story.
Looking ahead, Naledi aims to expand internationally, collaborating with artists like Ayra Starr and Summer Walker, and locally with Afrotraction, Kabza De Small, and her sister Nontokozo Mkhize. Mawelele will also pursue individual work. Their partnership has left a mark on Mzansi's music scene, highlighting young talent's rise through honest storytelling.
