Kwaito legend Zola 7 has called on Eswatini’s Arts and Culture authorities to invest more deliberately in local artists, arguing that greater support for creatives is essential if the country’s music and cultural sector is to reach its full potential.
The South African music icon made the remarks following his electrifying performance at the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival at House on Fire, where he was warmly received by thousands of festivalgoers.
Zola 7, whose real name is Bonginkosi Dlamini, said the enthusiasm shown by emaSwati during his performance demonstrated the appetite for African music and the potential that exists within the region’s creative industries.
According to the Kwaito veteran, artists require more than applause and recognition; they need meaningful investment and platforms that allow them to develop their craft, build sustainable careers and contribute to the economy.
For Zola 7, the warm reception he received from emaSwati was an indication that music remains a powerful bridge between people and cultures.
He expressed appreciation for the response from the Eswatini audience, who sang along to his songs, danced and enthusiastically welcomed his Kwaito sound to the Luju stage.
Who said Kwaito is dead? That question was effectively answered on the Luju stage as Zola 7 transported thousands of festivalgoers back to the golden era of Kwaito with a performance that proved the genre still has the power to command a crowd. 
The Kwaito legend delivered a carefully curated set packed with some of his most recognisable songs, immediately turning the festival grounds into a giant celebration of South African popular culture.
From the moment he took to the stage, the audience responded with excitement, with many revellers singing along word for word to songs that have remained part of the soundtrack of African youth culture for decades.
Zola 7 performed some of his popular tracks, including ‘Mdlwembe’, ‘Woof Woof’ and ‘Imbube’, among others.
The songs were met with loud cheers, dancing and enthusiastic sing-alongs as the veteran entertainer demonstrated why he remains one of the most recognisable figures in the history of Kwaito.
Rather than presenting his performance as a trip down memory lane alone, Zola 7 showed that Kwaito remains relevant in a contemporary festival environment.
