Fikile Mlomo Returns with ‘New Chapter’ After Life-Changing Ordeal

Gospel powerhouse Fikile Mlomo is making a triumphant return with her new six-track EP, New Chapter, set to release on Friday, 31 October. The 42-year-old singer from Lindelani, north of Durban, has turned a year of personal challenges into inspiration, proving that resilience and faith can overcome the toughest obstacles.

Earlier this year, Fikile faced a life-altering experience. She spent three months in a hospital bed, unable to feel her legs and fearing she might never walk again. Fellow gospel artist Thinah Zungu launched a crowdfunding campaign that made it possible for Fikile to undergo crucial spinal cord surgery. The operation restored her mobility and reignited her passion for gospel music.

“My life has been filled with dramatic pain, and everyone knows about those dramas. In 2024, I was also shocked to be hospitalised for three months without walking and at the end I was discharged walking again,” Fikile told Daily Sun.

Her comeback demonstrates a determination to move past hardship. Despite extended periods away from recording, Fikile maintained her presence in the gospel scene. Her 2018 EP, It’s God’s Time, and her 2021 single, Umphongolo, kept her relevant and in demand.

“Releasing timeless music helps me stay relevant and getting bookings, even if I’m not releasing new music. Even though my career was going down, I was still booked and able to feed myself,” she explained.

New Chapter reflects Fikile’s personal journey and aims to offer hope and healing to her audience. Her songs draw from real-life experiences, resonating deeply with listeners across South Africa.

“I write my songs relating to my life, and that resonate with many people. I want to heal people with this EP and bring hope back,” she said.

This new release carries a different energy than her previous work. Instead of grief, it expresses gratitude and celebration of life. “In many of my songs I cry to God, but this time I’m not crying and I’m grateful for what God has done for me,” she added.

Fikile Mlomo’s story exemplifies perseverance and the transformative power of music. New Chapter marks her return as a major force in gospel music and shows how personal trials can become a source of inspiration. Her journey from hospital bed to hitmaker cements her status as one of South Africa’s most resilient and influential gospel artists.