Home is Where Rēfilwe’s Music Journey Begins

South African performer and singer-songwriter Rēfilwe Maitisa, known as Rēfilwe, has officially stepped into the music scene with her debut single Home. Released in early November, the track introduces listeners to a new sound she calls nurabi — a fusion of Pop, R&B and the nostalgic energy of Marabi.

“I was drawn to Marabi music, an old South African genre, and loved the sound of the guitar,” Rēfilwe explained. “So, I used the mixture of Pop and RnB sounds and added the Marabi-style guitar and came up with the sound for Home. I dubbed it nurabi because I was trying to find a way to describe blending current, new vibes and an old sound.”

The single marks a significant transition in her creative journey. Having studied and worked in theatre, film and fashion, Rēfilwe now presents a side of herself that audiences haven’t seen before — one that brings her diverse experiences together through music.

A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles and New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she graduated top of her class, Rēfilwe’s artistic foundation was built on performance. Her career has included Off-Broadway theatre, short films, international showcases and appearances on runways, including Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for designer David Tlale.

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But Home feels different. It’s intimate, reflective and deeply South African. “When I was abroad, instead of thinking about how far away from home I was, I started to ask myself what home is,” she said. “The distance taught me that home, while it can be a place, is more of a feeling — feeling at peace, like you can be yourself and have somewhere you belong.”

That idea forms the heart of Home. The song looks inward, exploring what belonging means in a world where many young South Africans live, study and work abroad. “I knew that for my first single, I wanted my song Home to have a distinctly South African sound, given the song’s message,” she said. “It would be remiss to sing about home and not acknowledge South Africa in some way.”

Her background in performance has shaped her approach to music. “Theatre and film helped me build confidence, vulnerability and not to be afraid to look silly, no matter who’s watching,” she said. “They also taught me endurance. It can take hours to rehearse for a show. You’re constantly on your feet and no matter what’s going on in your life, you have to push through.”

That resilience is matched by academic discipline. “Being academic and creative don’t have to be mutually exclusive,” she said. “I’ve learned that sustainable success doesn’t happen by chance; it requires determination. You have to be bold, not be afraid to fail and to truly be yourself to discover who you are as an artist.”

Rēfilwe’s creative expression extends beyond sound. Having walked major runways and participated in international fashion events, she views fashion and music as interconnected. “I love fashion, performance art and music because they’re all some form of communication,” she said. “Even though fashion is non-verbal communication, it says so much about a person. Performance art taught me how to be present and to be vulnerable.”

Her long-term vision is to contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s creative economy. “South Africa is offering the world something new and exciting in music right now and I want to contribute to the offering,” she said. “Exporting our music means expanding what is possible for South African artists. It increases growth opportunities and creativity.”

At its core, Home isn’t just a debut single — it’s a statement of identity. It represents Rēfilwe’s return to herself and to the country that shaped her. “I want my music to make people feel seen,” she said. “I want it to meet people where they are and perhaps take them on a new journey.”

In nurabi, she has created more than a sound. She has found a language that connects the old and the new, the global and the local — a reminder that home is sometimes less about where we are, and more about who we become.

Home is available now on all major streaming platforms.