About
There are few voices in the South African music scene as unmistakable — or as emotionally resonant — as Shekhinah. Born Shekhinah Thandi Donnell, in Durban, South Africa, the singer-songwriter has become one of the country’s most celebrated musical talents, known for her genre-blurring blend of R&B, pop, soul, alongside a vulnerable songwriting approach. From her early days performing in musicals to becoming a platinum-selling artist with an ever-evolving sound, Shekhinah has spent the last decade carefully crafting her own lane.
Her journey began in earnest on the national stage, when she competed in Idols South Africa twice, eventually placing in the Top 6. What many would’ve seen as a final destination, Shekhinah saw as an introduction. In the years that followed, she released a string of hit singles — including Back to the Beach and Let You Know — before featuring on Black Coffee’s global hit Your Eyes. By the time she dropped her debut album Rosegold in 2017, she had already established herself as a force – a skilled topliner, distinctly soulful voice and pop powerhouse. The album would go on to become a cultural moment that continues to inspire a generation of new artists: certified platinum, lauded by critics, and winning multiple South African Music Awards (Album of the Year, Best Newcomer, Best Female Artist).
But Shekhinah never stopped growing. Her sophomore album Trouble in Paradise (2021) marked a tonal shift — with the darker, more introspective project exploring heartbreak, identity, and healing, as she removed the rose-tinted glasses. The project earned her another SAMA (Best Pop Album) and continued to build her reputation as one of the continent’s most emotionally honest and sonically adventurous artists.
Now, Shekhinah enters a new era with her third studio album, Less Trouble (2025). Led by the singles Risk and Steady, the project offers a softer, more reflective version of the artist — one shaped by experience, loss, and a newfound resilience. Where Trouble in Paradise confronts emotional chaos, Less Trouble leans into the calm after it, with meditative storytelling, rich harmonies, and grounded production choices that reflect both the ability to look in the mirror and a willingness to weather the storm.
Outside of her discography of hit singles and albums, Shekhinah’s impact continues to ripple. She’s performed alongside international heavyweights like John Legend, Ed Sheeran, and Toni Braxton. Shekhinah was also named on Forbes Africa’s prestigious 30 Under 30 list, became the owner of Figure of 8 Productions – a record studio in Randburg – and is one of the faces of Adidas Originals. Most notably, she founded Rosefest — a platform and festival that spotlights female artists in South Africa while creating space for activism, mental health awareness, and conversations around gender-based violence. What began as a festival expanded into digital campaigns, thoughtful panel discussions and partnerships with organisations like LifeLine.
With Less Trouble, Shekhinah offers her most refined and emotionally honest work to date. Beginning with the threat of a certain break-up, the project journeys through the thrills of a new connection that blooms into a steady relationship, closing a trilogy with reflection and resolve. This is the sound of a young woman who’s faced the storm, held her ground, and emerged more herself than ever.