Seven years since her last release, celebrated singer and vocalist Sibongile Khumalo has brought out a new album called Breath of Life.Upon seeing her walk through the door of the Orbit Jazz Club holding on to her daughter Ayanda, I was hit with the reality that Mama Sibongile - as I refer to her to show respect - was ageing.After a successful career with many accolades, she continues to make music at the age of 59.The mezzo-soprano has established herself as a jazz singer in South Africa and abroad.Her albums include Sibongile Khumalo Live at the Market Theatre, Immortal Secrets and Ancient Evenings.But despite her acclaim, Khumalo remains down to earth, saying with visible pride that her grandchildren are God's greatest gift to her."I love my children, but there is something amazing that grandchildren bring out in me," she says.Breath of Life was inspired by a moment when she struggled to put one of her grandchildren, Lethabo, to sleep.She recalls humming but nothing concrete was flowing to make a beautiful melody to make the baby feel peaceful - until a lullaby came to her that inspired the song.Since her first studio album release, Ancient Evenings in 1996, the songstress says no positive change has happened in our country.Taking a deep breath, she compares the times of Ancient Evenings to Breath of Life today. Khumalo says South Africa is not the country it set out to be 20 years ago."During those years our country was in a good space and our people were hopeful. As black people we had found our voice," she said."It was a good feeling. The world walked with us and African countries stood with us."We were strong in our resolve and when we look at our nation now so much needs to be done."Growing up in the streets of Orlando in Soweto, the classical singer says one thing - she's happy to see that in the past 20 years the revolution has moved out of the townships."The revolution has manifested to places where people work, bringing with it uplifting energy."Mama Sibongile believes the album is an expression of her spirituality.Given the challenges of our country - the economy, issues around racism and the "hashtag" movements, she says we need to focus on our humanity as people.With one of her tracks, Warrior for Peace, she hopes to send a message of healing to people. She says the song is inspired by regaining our ''ubuntu" - a Zulu word meaning ''humanity".She believes the word ''ubuntu" has become misused over the years, especially by black people."Many seem to have shied away from our ubuntu. Instead of working as a collective, we work against each other."Warrior for Peace was created to remind our people that we are seekers, teachers, healers and dreamers and that we stand for something and celebrate our nation.1996 was not only the year that she released her first studio album, it was also the year that the constitution of South Africa was written.Twenty years later Khumalo says we should question this. What in the constitution is a reflection of our values as African people apart from the theoretical part of it?..