In the villages and towns of Vhembe, December usually arrives with its own familiar rhythm. This year, that rhythm has a new pulse. Afro-soul and pop artist Una Rine's latest single, Ndivhe Nayo — meaning "I should have money" — was released on 27 November and is already making waves on YouTube and Spotify, drawing thousands of listeners within days.
The track features Ipfi Mathuga (Tailor Pain) and Venrap veteran Mizo Phyll, with production by Jex and Sound Slucid. It carries a motivational message about the drive of a go-getter who works hard to build success, often from very little. Una Rine said the song had come together in only three days and the reaction had been instant.
"I came up with the name because everyone can relate. We all wake up to work and provide for our families, no matter the circumstances. People go to work through anything. It's a motivational song. I also pray that God walks with us in all we do," he said.
He added that Ndivhe Nayo was the first song to receive such fast and overwhelmingly positive support. "It's amazing. The feedback is positive, and it was my wish to make such a song. The single will form part of a new EP I am currently working on with Tailor Pain," he said.
The release follows a prolific year in which Una Rine dropped three EPs: Love One Another with Rol Dee, Crossroads with Osome Feyn, and Love in Kumasi with Osome Feyn and Mizo Phyll. His growing following builds on the attention sparked by Lagos in Venda, a project that blends Afrobeats with Venda cultural expression and has drawn interest across the continent.
The success of his recent work has helped reshape how Limpopo's regional music is viewed in broader African music circles. Una Rine's musical journey began in church, where he first discovered his love for singing. As he prepares for the upcoming EP, he says he hopes the momentum behind Ndivhe Nayo will continue to open doors and expand the presence of Venda-rooted sound in mainstream spaces.