South African singer-songwriter Amy Tjasink returns with a vibrant summer anthem, “Feels Like Mzansi,” a re-imagining inspired by the legendary Mango Groove classic, “Special Star”.
The track forms part of a special Gallo Records project that bridges the golden era of South African music with today’s modern sound.
Amy Tjasink Found Inspiration Abroad
“When Gallo first asked me to be part of this project, I was completely honoured and honestly a little overwhelmed,” Amy Tjasink admits. “Special Star is such an iconic piece of music history. I kept asking myself, how do you even begin to re-create something that perfect, while still paying homage to it?”
The inspiration struck unexpectedly while Amy was thousands of kilometres from home. “I was sitting in the middle of Istanbul International Airport, exhausted after a long writing trip in Europe. All I wanted was to be back home, back to my people, the warmth of the sun, and the friendliness that makes South Africa so special. That’s when the song hit me and I realised what Mzansi really feels like.”
Returning home, Amy collaborated at Pretty Loud HQ in Cape Town with Erin Elliot and Jono Greyling. “I had this line running through my head: ‘Been gone too long, my roots keep calling me back.’ From there, the rest just flowed,” Amy explains. “Within hours, the song poured out of us. It was pure magic and a true love letter to South Africa.”
“Feels Like Mzansi” blends nostalgic African rhythms with shimmering pop production and Amy’s signature, soul-stirring vocals. The result is a track that is both deeply personal and universally uplifting, capturing the essence of what it means to belong to a country rich in spirit, warmth, and rhythm.
Claire Johnston from Mango Groove shares her excitement for the release: “It’s exciting to hear ‘Special Star‘ hooks used in such a fresh, fun way, the perfect summer song! Looking forward to hearing ‘Feels Like Mzansi’ blasting on the radio this December!”
With “Feels Like Mzansi” available on all DSPs, fans are sure to make it a new favourite on their holiday playlists. “I just want to make South Africa proud,” Amy Tjasink says. “I want people to remember how awesome our country is, how special our people are, and to feel that same sense of joy and pride that I felt writing this song. From our hearts to South Africa, we hope you love it.”
You can stream/download “Feels Like Mzansi” HERE.
Watch this space for updates in the Music News category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
