Zabalaza is the first solo album release from the South African musical performer, Thandiswa Mazwai.

[1][2] Before this album, Thandiswa was most famously known as the lead singer for the kwaito group Bongo Maffin.

Several producers and vocalists contributed to the album: Tshepo Tshola features on "Ndilinde"; Xhosa traditional vocalist Madosini sings on "Lahl’umlenze"; Mandla Spikiri produced "Kwanele"; and "Transkei Moon" and "Ndizokulibala" were both produced by D-Rex and Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick of the band Incognito.

The members of Mazwai's backing band were selected from more than 400 candidates after three days of auditions.

As additional preparation for the recording process, Mazwai embarked on a pilgrimage to her mother's home village in the Transkei, moving on to spend a fortnight in Mkhankato, Madosini's village in the heart of rural Transkei.