South African singer and songwriter Yolanda Yallunder Nyembezi has sadly passed away.
The family released a statement on Friday, confirming the 30-year-old died on Thursday at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital.
“It is with profound sorrow and heavy hearts that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of our beloved daughter, sister, and friend, Yolanda Nyembezi, known to the world as Yallunder.”
The family described her as a rare soul with a rich voice; “Yolana graced this earth with a spirit that was as warm as it was powerful.”
“Born and raised in Bizana, Eastern Cape, on 23 August 1994, she was not only a gifted singer and songwriter but also a classically trained, cum laude graduate in vocal pedagogy, an artist whose talent was as undeniable as her passion for music,” read the statement.
The statement continued to say that the songstress “fought bravely through months of illness, holding onto life with resilience and grace until her final bow on Thursday.”
“Her journey was one of unwavering strength, and even in her most vulnerable moments, she remained a beacon of love, kindness, and artistry.”
Losing her has left an unimaginable void in our hearts, but we take comfort in knowing that her music, her legacy, and the love she poured into the world will live on forever.
Yallunder, renowned for her soulful voice, gained significant attention in 2018 through her covers that caught the ears of influential figures like Black Coffee and Sjava.
Sjava further advanced her career by signing her to his record label, 1020 Cartel.
It was here that Yallunder’s career as a recording artist began, contributing to the collective album iSambulo in 2020 with her standout track Ndinovalo and collaborations such as Inhliziyo and Abanjani.
In the same year, she released her debut project, Uthando Lwam, engineered by Ruff.
This venture marked the start of her journey into the dance genre, leading to collaborations with prominent DJs and producers like Lemon & Herb, Kabza De Small, Oskido, Morda, and Heavy K.
As her career continued to flourish, Yallunder embarked on a new chapter as an independent artist under her label, Masani Music, with plans to create and release more music.
