Zimbabwean-born, Naarm (Melbourne)-based artist NIASHA is cementing her place as Australia’s Amapiano icon with the release of her new single Sizojabula — an effervescent fusion of Amapiano and Afro House that radiates joy, gratitude, and cultural pride.
Endorsed by ARIA Award-winning producer Audius Mtawarira — the hitmaker who discovered Sha Sha, the Queen of Amapiano, and has shaped the careers of Delta Goodrem, Jessica Mauboy, and Ricki-Lee Coulter — NIASHA stands poised to usher in a new chapter for African-influenced music in Australia.
“Australia has failed to find its own Amapiano icon, until now. NIASHA is great at it, she sounds good and she has the energy to perform it live, ” says Audius Mtawarira.
On 28 November, Sizojabula marked a defining moment in Niasha’s journey. Written and recorded between Harare and Melbourne, the track was inspired by her first return to Zimbabwe in 15 years; a deeply emotional reunion that reconnected her with family, faith, and her creative roots.
The song speaks to the shared experience of the Southern African diaspora in Australia and overseas offering warmth, hope, and a reminder to find joy wherever you are.
Produced by CEEKO (MJ The Musical) and mixed by RayoBeats (Tamy Moyo, EX-Q, Nutty O, Ishan), Sizojabula layers NIASHA’s soulful vocals over rich percussion and deep rhythmic grooves of Amapiano with recordings of local children captured in a Harare backyard studio. The song’s title meaning “we will be joyful” encapsulates her message of resilience, unity, and celebration which bridges continents and cultures, crafting a sound that is both contemporary and deeply ancestral.
NIASHA’s rise as a versatile artist has been steady and intentional. She was mentored by Sho Madjozi, TKAY Maidza, Lethal Bizzle, Nathaniel Motte (3OH!3) and Lady Leshurr as part of Nando’s 2018 MXChange program in London. She has since performed her original music with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, toured globally with Sampa the Great, and played to sold-out audiences at her own headline shows in Melbourne and Zimbabwe along with an intimate show in London.
“NIASHA is a breath of fresh air to the music world. She brings energy, dance, powerful rhymes and soul to this musical landscape and is the new bold Amapiano voice of Australia” says Sampa the Great.
NIASHA’s high-energy performances have also seen her open for Amapiano stars Uncle Waffles and Daliwonga, while her single MOVE was recently featured in the SBS series Swift Street, directed by Zimbabwe-born filmmaker Tig Terera.
Following previous appearances at WOMADelaide and an expanding international presence, NIASHA’s artistry continues to grow beyond genre and geography. Her new single Sizojabula paves the way for her forthcoming EP, set for release in March 2026 to coincide with International Women’s Day, a celebration of joy, womanhood, and creative independence.
Now under the sage mentorship of Audius Mtawarira, NIASHA stands ready to take her place on the global stage as the artist bridging Amapiano’s African heartbeat with Australia’s creative pulse.
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