SAI HLE bottle joy and sisterhood in euphoric new single ‘UBUMNND’

“UBUMNND is a piece of our heart,” said Amahle and Siphosethu Koom, the sisters behind SAI HLE.

“It comes from that incredible feeling of freedom and joy that you get when you are surrounded by people that you love.”

With those words, the duo set the tone for their latest single, a release that places connection and shared happiness at the centre of their sound.

“UBUMNND” captures a moment of lightness and belonging, drawing listeners into a space where joy is collective and music becomes a meeting point.

SAI HLE continues to position itself as one of South Africa’s most promising emerging acts. Their music reflects sisterhood, warmth and unity, themes that feel deeply rooted in their lived experience.

“UBUMNND”, produced by Lord Jazz and INFERNO and released under Platoon, showcases their vocal chemistry and instinctive harmonies.

Sung in a fluid blend of Xhosa, Zulu and English, the track seamlessly transitions between intimacy and openness, mirroring the duo’s belief that happiness grows when it is shared with others.

The sisters described the song as coming from a place of pure feeling rather than overthinking.

“It comes from that feeling of pure vibes,” they explained. “Those moments where everything just feels right. We wanted to bottle that energy of joy, warmth and being surrounded by people who make you feel at home.”

For SAI HLE, the song is an invitation to pause and recognise the softer moments that exist even when life feels overwhelming.

“Life gets heavy, but there is always something beautiful, something worth dancing about,” they add.

“That is the heart of ‘UBUMNND’”.

The production plays a key role in translating that feeling into sound. Working with Jazz and INFERNO allowed the duo to expand their sonic palette while staying true to their identity.

“They really took the song to another level,” the sisters said.

“Lord Jazz brought that warm, soulful touch that makes the track feel familiar but still fresh. INFERNO added the fire, the bounce, the small details that make you want to move.”

The balance between warmth and energy gives “UBUMNND" its lift, creating space for the vocals to lead without losing momentum.

“Together, they created the perfect space for our voices to breathe,” SAI HLE noted. “It is the combination we knew that we needed.”

At the core of SAI HLE’s music is their bond as sisters. That relationship shapes not only how they perform but how they create.

“The nice thing about working as sisters is that we just get each other,” they explained.

“One of us leans more into the emotional side, melodies, harmonies, that softer touch. The other is more structured and intentional with the technical side.”

This balance allows them to move quickly and intuitively in the studio.

“Because we have grown up together, we do not need to explain too much,” they said.

“We work from instinct, trust and a bond that is bigger than the music.” 

That instinct has guided them through a steady rise in the South African music scene.

As teenagers, the duo began their journey in the gospel industry, initially working as backing vocalists. Those early experiences shaped their discipline and understanding of harmony.

Over time, as opportunities in mainstream music emerged, the sisters felt drawn to step forward as artists in their own right.

“We realised that there was more that we wanted to say,” they have shared in the past, reflecting on the shift from supporting roles to centre stage.

Their official recording career began in 2021 with the release of their debut single “Let Me”, followed by “Impilo" later that year.

These early releases introduced audiences to their sound and vocal blend, laying the groundwork for what was to follow.

A major turning point came in 2023 when they collaborated with afrotech DJ and producer Karyendasoul on the track “WL4OM”.

The song marked their breakthrough in the South African house and piano space, opening doors to further collaborations and wider recognition. 

Since then, SAI HLE have contributed vocals to several amapiano and afrotech tracks alongside emerging producers, steadily building a reputation for versatility and emotional clarity.

Beyond the studio, SAI HLE have also made their mark on significant stages. One of their notable performances took place at a presidential event for President Cyril Ramaphosa at Time Square in Pretoria, focused on women’s rights.

The sisters were the sole musical act for the evening, a moment that highlighted both their growing profile and their ability to hold space with intention.

Performances like these have reinforced their sense of purpose and the role their music can play beyond entertainment.

Guided by the management of Khuli Chana and Phenyo Kgaffe, SAI HLE are now stepping into what they described as a new era. The support of experienced cultural leaders has given them confidence to think bigger while staying grounded.

“We are really excited to explore a more global sound while keeping it rooted in South Africa,” they said. “Amapiano and dance music are evolving so fast, and we want to bring our own flavour to that movement.”

For the duo, growth does not mean abandoning their roots but expanding the conversation.

“We want something fresh and bold that pushes the sound forward,” they added.

Looking ahead, the sisters are focused on releasing new singles, visuals and collaborations that reveal different sides of their artistry. They are currently working on their debut EP, a project they see as a statement of intent.

Blending pop, amapiano, house and afrotech, the EP aims to introduce SAI HLE to a global audience while remaining deeply connected to home. “The future feels wide open,” they said.

“We are ready to step into it.”