South African R&B singer-songwriter Lusanda has been named Spotify’s EQUAL Africa Ambassador of the Month, just as she prepares to release her latest single, “Lunchbox”, today (Friday, 11 September).
The Durban-born, Johannesburg-raised artist is having quite the September.
Alongside her Spotify recognition, Lusanda is preparing to complete her latest three-track body of work, By The Time I Wake Up, with the release of “Lunchbox”.
The project opens with “Progress”, followed by the title track and now “Lunchbox”, continuing a steady rise that has seen Lusanda move from viral covers to major collaborations and growing recognition within South Africa’s contemporary R&B scene.
For the singer-songwriter, however, the music remains rooted in telling stories that feel real.
“I want people to feel something when they hear my voice,” Lusanda said.
“I write from things I’ve actually been through, and if my music helps someone feel a little less alone, or helps them heal from something, that’s the whole point for me.”
Spotify EQUAL comes full circle
Being selected as Spotify’s EQUAL Africa Ambassador holds particular significance for Lusanda.
Her relationship with the programme stretches back to some of the pivotal moments in her young career, with EQUAL supporting her first major headline show in Johannesburg as well as the recording of her Spotify Singles session.
“EQUAL is the reason I got to play my first major show here in Johannesburg,” she said.
“Being part of a programme that actually puts its resources behind women artists has meant everything.”
Spotify’s EQUAL programme focuses on increasing the visibility of women artists and addressing gender disparity within the music industry.
For Lusanda, this month’s recognition brings that relationship full circle at a time when her own catalogue and presence in the industry continue to grow.
From a viral cover to a growing R&B career
Lusanda Ngcobo, known professionally simply as Lusanda, was born in Durban and raised in Johannesburg.
Her creative background extends beyond music. A classically trained ballerina since the age of five, she later studied Theatre and Performance with a focus on choreography at the University of Cape Town.
Her music career began gaining momentum in 2023 when a stripped-down cover of Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” went viral.
That was followed by her debut single, “When You’re Around”, produced by UK producer Noxz.
Lusanda later became the first South African woman to feature on the Spotify Singles programme, recording a reimagined rendition of “Mad World”.
Her single “Progress”, produced by Sunny Kale alongside Charlotte Day Wilson and Biako, continued that momentum, while her growing list of collaborations includes Uncle Waffles, Manana and Mörda.
In 2025, she was also named among Apple Music’s Africa Rising Class.
New music and new collaborations
Lusanda’s latest chapter has brought with it another series of collaborations.
“By The Time I Wake Up” was written with producer Anoop D’Souza, whose credits include Tems, Summer Walker, Syd and Asake. The pair worked together in South Africa after initially connecting in Ghana.
Lusanda also has recent and upcoming features alongside Nasty C and Tellaman, Clxrity and Dwson.
“Lunchbox” now brings the three-track By The Time I Wake Up project to a close.
Following its release, fans will have an opportunity to hear more about the music directly from Lusanda at an intimate Track by Track listening session at &Friends/Mamakashaka in Braamfontein on 17 September.
There, she will take audiences through the full project and the stories behind the music, with a few special surprises promised along the way.
For an artist who says she simply wants people to feel something when they hear her voice, September is giving plenty more people the opportunity to listen.
“Lunchbox” and the complete By The Time I Wake Up maxi single will be available across streaming platforms from Friday, 11 September 2026.
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