Liesl Penniken Embraces Her Solo Era With Empowering New Single “This Is Who I Am”

Liesl Penniken is proving that reinvention can be just as powerful as a successful beginning. After more than two decades as one of the defining voices of Jamali, the South African pop and R&B group that became a household name in the 2000s, Penniken is stepping forward with a new chapter in her career. Her latest single, “This Is Who I Am,” introduces listeners to a more personal side of the singer while delivering a message built around confidence, resilience and self-belief. The release marks an important moment for an artist who has spent years performing as part of a celebrated group while continuing to develop her own creative identity. In 2026, Penniken is showing that her journey in South African music still has plenty of chapters left to write.

For many South African music fans, Penniken’s voice is closely connected to Jamali, the trio she formed with Jacqui Carpede and Mariechan Luiters after the group rose to prominence through Coca-Cola Popstars in 2004. Jamali quickly became one of the country’s most recognisable female groups, combining pop, R&B and soulful harmonies with songs that became part of the soundtrack of the era. Their success included multiple South African Music Awards and a career that extended well beyond their breakthrough on television. The group’s longevity also helped establish a blueprint for South African female vocal groups looking to build sustainable careers in a competitive industry. Penniken’s decision to now expand her work as a solo artist therefore represents more than the release of another single, it signals a significant evolution in an already established career.

“This Is Who I Am” places self-belief at the centre of Penniken’s latest musical direction. Written by songwriter Theunis Duvenhage, the uplifting track encourages listeners to trust themselves, move beyond anxiety and keep pursuing their goals despite uncertainty. Its message focuses on resilience and the ability to keep moving when life does not follow the expected path. Rather than allowing setbacks and outside expectations to define a person, the song encourages listeners to stand firmly in who they are. That message gives the single a broad appeal because it speaks to anyone who has faced self-doubt while trying to pursue a personal or professional goal.

The song also demonstrates Penniken’s versatility as an artist. Her first solo single, “Fallen Pieces of a Broken Heart,” offered a more vulnerable and emotionally driven introduction to her work outside Jamali. “This Is Who I Am” moves in a different direction, bringing greater emphasis to inspiration, confidence and forward momentum. The contrast between the two releases suggests that Penniken does not intend to limit herself to one emotional or musical space. Instead, she is using her solo career to explore different sounds, themes and aspects of her personality as a performer.

The visual treatment for “This Is Who I Am” strengthens the song’s message by turning its themes of determination and resilience into a cinematic experience. The official music video features high-energy choreography from South African dancer and actor Tarryn Alberts, adding movement and physical expression to the track’s message. Director Wicus Struwig brings the visuals together with an approach that reflects the song’s focus on overcoming everyday challenges. The video presents struggle not simply as an obstacle but as part of the journey towards personal strength. Through its combination of music, choreography and visual storytelling, the video gives Penniken another platform to communicate the ideas behind the song.

Moving from a group environment into a solo career comes with its own challenges, particularly for an artist who has spent so much of her professional life working alongside familiar collaborators. Penniken has acknowledged that performing with Jamali feels natural because she has known Carpede and Luiters since 2003. Years of shared experiences have created a level of comfort and familiarity that comes from building a career together. A solo project requires her to step outside that established dynamic and introduce audiences to another dimension of her artistry. While that transition can be daunting, Penniken also sees it as an exciting opportunity to create music that reflects her own tastes, ambitions and creative choices.

Her approach to the solo chapter also reflects a desire to work with people whose creative contributions align with the direction she wants to pursue. Penniken has spoken positively about working with producers and writers she had always imagined collaborating with, making the process an important part of the new chapter. This creative freedom allows her to explore ideas that may not necessarily fit within the identity of a group. It also gives longtime fans an opportunity to hear familiar vocals in a different setting. For Penniken, the solo journey is therefore not about leaving her past behind, but about expanding what audiences understand about her as an artist.

Music is not the only area where Penniken continues to demonstrate her versatility. She has also remained active in television and media, including her role as a presenter on the gospel music programme Lofprysing on SABC2. Her work in broadcasting adds another dimension to a career that has already included music, live performance and entertainment. It also demonstrates her ability to connect with audiences outside the traditional recording studio environment. As she continues balancing these different creative roles, Penniken is building a career that does not depend on a single platform or genre.

Her plans for the remainder of 2026 point to an increasingly busy period of music-making. Penniken is spending significant time in the recording studio while developing new material, exploring different production styles and working on collaborations with a range of artists. The planned releases are expected to expand on the musical direction introduced by her recent singles. This willingness to experiment is important for an artist who has already experienced several changes in the music industry during her career. After more than 20 years in entertainment, Penniken understands that longevity requires a willingness to evolve while remaining connected to the qualities that make an artist distinctive.

Her experience has also given her valuable insight into what younger musicians need to build sustainable careers. One of her key messages is that aspiring artists should understand their reasons for pursuing music before entering the industry. Talent and ambition can provide an initial push, but a genuine connection to the craft can help artists continue working when opportunities become difficult to find. She also encourages musicians to develop their own sound instead of constantly chasing trends or trying to reproduce whatever is popular on social media. For Penniken, authenticity creates a stronger relationship with an audience because listeners can recognise when an artist is communicating something genuine.

Professionalism is another principle Penniken considers essential for long-term success. The entertainment industry requires more than vocal ability or creative talent, particularly as artists navigate collaborators, producers, media platforms, performances and business relationships. Discipline, consistency, humility and reliability can determine whether an artist turns an opportunity into a lasting career. Penniken’s own journey provides a practical example of this approach because she has remained active in South African entertainment through significant changes in the way music is created, distributed and consumed. Her advice reflects lessons gained from more than two decades of working in an industry where audiences, technology and trends continue to change.

“This Is Who I Am” ultimately captures the spirit of an artist who is refusing to remain defined by one chapter of her career. Liesl Penniken has already established her place in South African music through Jamali, but her solo work gives her the freedom to explore a broader creative identity. The single’s themes of resilience, self-belief and determination provide a clear statement about where she stands as she enters this new phase. Its accompanying music video adds another layer to that message, while her upcoming music promises to reveal even more of her versatility. As Penniken continues recording, performing and exploring new creative partnerships, her solo era is shaping up as a meaningful continuation of a career built on talent, adaptability and staying true to herself.

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