'Iyeza' / 'Zabalaza' | Thandiswa Mazwai

Self-styled wild woman and rebel singer Thandiswa Mazwai rocks the TED stage with an electrifying performance of two songs: "Iyeza" and "Zabalaza."

The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more.

[sinasomxakaza]

Thandiswa deserves a lifetime achievement award by now. She's a living documentation of our culture

[nombangomtshali]

Who's still here 2025, Thandiswa is an iconic artist uphiwe umntanomntu 🙌, she's the best love her to bits😍🥰😘

[sandramakhumalo]

In my 34 years of being on this Earth, I have never witnessed such brilliance, authenticity, raw emotion and transcendent perfection in a piece of music. It is indeed a calling that she has and she has rightfully and wholeheartedly accepted it. Wow, speechless!!

[BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

She's such a good singer. African Spirituality flows in her veins. ☥🔥☥

[thandolwethu]

Thandiswa Mazwai has no competition mabethuna😭😭 imagine singing almost a decade old song and making it jazzy and relevant 😍 yerrr! Liyavuma 👏🏽

[sifisomagagula]

The backup vocalist who’s doubling as a keyboard player was amazing. Thandiswa is king!

[omphemetsedigopoleng]

It's 2023 and I'm back here again. Such brilliance is hard to fathom 😭🙌

[vivianamu]

If only more people could sing with such authenticity

[seemanye]

I've lost count as to how many times I've watched this ever since the day I discovered it . King Tha is just a musical genius ! Also her team ??? Phenomenal job !! 🥺

[logicandreason]

The melodic screams have something weirdly fascinating. Pretty nice.

[ellcafe]

The chemistry between her voice and the guy who’s backing up combined with the instrumentals is so amazing

[FixieNix]

Why can't I like this more than once?

[imallergictoorangejuice]

i’m in love. this is music. even if i don’t know the language, this is still amazing

[chewycactus]

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, some of you guys seem to forget that
Just because it’s not some person giving a speech for 15 mins doesn’t mean it’s not as inspiring or thought provoking. Don’t limit TED to a box

[tumelohh]

I actually thinks she deserves a tiny desk

[houmadi]

Gave me chills - so beautiful this music and her voice!!!

[sundayrain]

This was such a beautiful mesh up of her old and new songs.
Left me smiling after singing 'Ithongo' coz I remember my gran losing it when I played her 'Ibhokhwe' album because she thought I'd come home one day and say I have a calling from my ancestors to become a healer 😊.
Anyway I'll forever be grateful for that offering because I became interested instead (to my gran's releif) in my roots and connections beyond borders to all my Nguni people across Africa.

[Phiwe]

Thandiswa Mazwai never disappoints. The shock when I saw a fellow South African on this channel made me so happy. Such great quality and her talent speaks for itself. #WakandaForever.

[drtalkboxsa]

Lulu on drums
Xoli on keys
Banda on bass
Sonnyboy on guitar
South African best

[sihle]

Oh! my Goshh! Such a soulful Queen... I love her artistic and vocal range gives me goosebumes, it purify your soul and your spirit after listening her iyeza or wakrazulwa you never feel the same... African Rock Star Queen. more than two decade singing but her voice never crake... wow i bow down... i strongly believe most young upcoming artist can learn so that you don't need to flash your skin but only voice can take you far. South African Soul Queen.