The “Thula” saga has taken another turn, with Banda Banda responding to Zoë Modiga’s statement that she had no prior knowledge of, involvement in, or approval for the release of the Culoe De Song remix.
The producer and musician has now put his side of the story on record, pushing back against the suggestion that the remix was released without communication with Modiga.
The remix, credited to Culoe De Song, BandaBanda and Zoë Modiga, was released on September 4 through BandaBanda Agency and De Song Music.
Modiga says she was never consulted
Modiga’s statement came after the release of “Thula (Culoe De Song Remix)”, which she said she had not approved.
“I want to make it clear that I had no prior knowledge of, involvement in, or approval of the release in question,” Modiga said.
“I was neither consulted about nor did I give my approval for the release.”
She said the dispute goes beyond the remix itself, with “ongoing legal discussions concerning the rights, ownership, and commercial arrangements relating to the relevant work”.
Modiga also said she had instructed her legal representatives to intervene.
“As the matter is now being dealt with through formal legal channels, I do not intend to engage in a public debate about the underlying dispute while that process is ongoing,” she said.
Banda Banda says there was communication
Banda Banda’s response presents a different version of events.
According to his statement, the original “Thula” was released on June 12, 2025, before being re-recorded live in 2026 as part of ISIKHATHI.
He says the music was shared with Modiga before the remix was released and that the communication forms part of what he describes as the documented record.
“Prior to the release of Thula (Remix), the music was also shared with Zoë Modiga, and those communications form part of the documented record,” he said.
He further claims that attempts to resolve the wider professional issues stretched over several months.
“Meetings were arranged, correspondence was sent, follow-ups were made, and attempts were made to reschedule conversations that had not taken place,” Banda Banda said.
“Unfortunately, those efforts did not result in a resolution.”
‘Thula’ was supposed to be about peace
Perhaps the most striking part of Banda Banda’s response is his reflection on the meaning of the song itself.
“What makes this moment even more ironic is that Thula is a song about peace, stillness and quiet. Yet somehow, a song about stillness has been met with so much noise,” he said.
“I have always wanted peace. I still do.”
His comments come as the release has reopened questions about the professional and personal history between the two musicians.
Modiga and Banda Banda were closely linked for years, both romantically and creatively. Banda Banda was an important collaborator on Modiga’s music, including her acclaimed 2020 album Inganekwane. He is also credited as a producer on the project.
Their creative relationship continued across subsequent projects, including Modiga’s 2024 album nomthandazo, while Banda Banda also appeared as a collaborator on her work.
From love and music to lawyers
The pair eventually announced the end of their relationship, marking the closing of a chapter in which their personal and professional lives had been deeply intertwined.
That history makes the current dispute particularly complicated.
“Thula” is not simply another song in a catalogue. It is a work connected to a period when the two were building music and a life together.
The current disagreement now centres on what happened after the original recording, who had authority over subsequent versions of the work, and whether the necessary approvals and commercial arrangements were in place.
While Modiga says she was not consulted or did not approve the remix, Banda Banda says there was communication and that attempts were made over months to resolve outstanding professional matters.
The remix is already out
Despite the dispute, the remix remains commercially available.
Streaming listings identify “Thula (Culoe De Song Remix)” as a 2026 single by Culoe De Song and BandaBanda, featuring Zoë Modiga, with the release dated September 4.
For now, both sides have placed their positions on record.
Modiga has indicated that she would rather allow the legal process to determine the unresolved issues.
Banda Banda, meanwhile, has stressed his version of the communication that took place and ended his response by returning to the very message at the heart of the song.
“I have always wanted peace. I still do.”
