Vocalist songwriter Olefied Khetha is bringing a new dimension to his heartfelt song iStep Father with a remix featuring award-winning rapper Big Zulu.
The collaboration, titled iStep Father Remix, is set for release on Friday, 2 October 2026, following confirmation that Big Zulu has completed his contribution to the track. SlikourOnLife reported that the rapper confirmed his feature and described the collaboration as a reunion between the two artists.
The song has already attracted attention ahead of the remix. Music platforms currently list iStep Father as a 2026 release by Khetha, with Beatport listing the original track under Sound African Recordings.
A message about love and fatherhood
At the centre of iStep Father is a relationship between a man and a woman who already has a child.
Rather than presenting stepfatherhood as something to be embarrassed about, Khetha’s song focuses on the decision by a man to embrace both the woman he loves and her child.
Khetha has previously explained the thinking behind the song in simple terms – falling in love with a woman who has a child should not make a man feel ashamed of taking on a father figure role.
“You are not stupid for being a stepfather. You simply fell in love with a woman who has a child. There is nothing wrong with that. Be there for her and be the best stepfather you can be,” Khetha says.
The song therefore touches on questions around family, responsibility and the different ways in which children can experience fatherhood.
Big Zulu adds his voice
Big Zulu’s involvement gives the song another layer, bringing one of South Africa’s recognisable storytelling voices into Khetha’s personal narrative.
The rapper, whose real name is Siyabonga Nene, has built much of his music around personal experiences, relationships, family, identity and social realities.
The collaboration is also not their first musical connection. Big Zulu and Khetha have previously appeared together on Umlabalaba, which was released in March 2026.
That existing musical relationship provides context for the new remix, which retains Khetha’s original subject matter while introducing Big Zulu’s contribution.
The original song
The original iStep Father has been circulated as one of Khetha’s recent releases, with digital music listings showing the track and its 2026 release activity.
The song’s central message is directed at men who enter relationships with single mothers and choose to become involved in their children’s lives.
For Khetha, the role is not simply about a relationship with the mother. It is also about showing up for the child.
That distinction gives the song its emotional core – the idea that fatherhood can also involve commitment, care and presence rather than only biological connection.
Khetha’s growing catalogue
Khetha has continued to build his catalogue with a number of collaborations and releases.
His recent credits include songs with artists such as Big Zulu, Sir Trill, Nathi MaQ, IV Swiss and Zakes Bantwini. Beatport’s artist listing also records his 2026 releases including Umfazi We Lobola, Ngiyahamba, Uzolala La and Mawungenamali.
The artist’s music has crossed several styles, with his catalogue including hip-hop, Afro-pop and other South African sounds.
His iStep Father music video has also been listed in the portfolio of Mendy Studios, which identifies the project as one of its music-video productions.
A collaboration built around a different kind of fatherhood
The iStep Father Remix arrives at a time when conversations around modern families increasingly extend beyond traditional definitions of parenthood.
Khetha’s approach is to place the stepfather in a more positive role – as a man who consciously chooses to remain present and supportive in a child’s life.
With Big Zulu now joining the record, the remix expands that message through the voices of two artists with established reputations for storytelling.
The iStep Father Remix is scheduled for release on Friday, 2 October 2026. Current music listings have already begun identifying the track as “Olefied Khetha – iStep Father (Remix) Ft. Big Zulu”.
