PITSO97’s new song is as soft as his mother’s love
Despite growing up without a father figure, Sandile Gumede, aka PITSO97, honours his mothers love in his latest song.
With his soul-stirring vocals and touching lyrics, Sandile Gumede, also known as PITSO97, is poised to make a name for himself on the music scene with his latest EP, Road to Ritta.
This heartfelt project serves as a beautiful homage to his cherished mother. In it, Gumede expresses the deep love and appreciation he holds for the woman who has been his guiding light from birth.
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“I grew up without a father figure in my life. My mom was my everything, and she still is. Even though my father is still alive, I haven’t received a call or any form of contact from him since 2005 or 2006.
“She went the extra mile to ensure I had everything I needed, even when it came to school clothes. During holidays, she would take us on trips to Durban and even bought me blank CDs to help me pursue my passion for music.”
Growing up in rural Nkandla, KZN, Gumede faced challenges in recording his music, but his mother’s support and encouragement, kept him going. He named his EP after her mother’s first name, Ritta Mbatha.
He hopped on the Afro-pop genre when he started because he liked singing maskandi, a kind of Zulu folk music genre that is dominant among the Zulu tribe. However, the musician decided to switch things up on this project.
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“I evolved my sound by incorporating gqom and amapiano elements, allowing me to convey my emotions and experiences through a unique blend of cultural music styles.
I don’t want to leave my Afro-pop genre, but I want to see how people will receive my voice on this project.”
Gumede came to Fourways in pursuit of better opportunities. Although his job as a security officer recently came to an end, he remains optimistic that his musical talent will propel him to success and enable him to provide for his family.
“I intend to honour my mother’s name by dedicating all my future albums to her, for as long as I continue making music, or until my time on this Earth comes to an end. My love and gratitude for her knows no bounds, and I want to celebrate her legacy through my art.”
He collaborated with various producers and local artists on this EP, including Flavio BFS, Zulumfana, Maxx Deep, and ijongolensizwa. He said fans can get ready to groove and with spring around the corner, Gumede’s dance-worthy tracks are perfect for the season.
His music is available on all digital platforms, and he can be found on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram @Pitso97.
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