What started as a dream has become a milestone for Eswatini musician Sancheziey, whose uMntfwana weLive listening session in Mbombela, South Africa, attracted media personalities,
cultural stakeholders and fans while strengthening creative ties between Eswatini and Mpumalanga.
Held at The Garden Mbombela on July 25, the event was organised in collaboration with the Kusile Kwetfu Cultural Celebration and served as both a media launch for the annual festival and an exclusive preview of Sancheziey’s forthcoming 10-track album, which is scheduled for release on August 5.
Reflecting on the journey, Sancheziey said the experience reaffirmed his belief in trusting God and acting on one’s dreams.
“Dreaming big is never a problem, especially if your faith and instincts push you to act on the dream. The best phrase for the weekend of the listening session is: ‘I Saw God,’” he said.
The artist explained that the opportunity came unexpectedly after he contacted Kusile Kwetfu Cultural Celebration Director Thandi Dlamini about hosting his listening session in Mbombela. 
Sancheziey said the timing could not have been better because Dlamini was already preparing to launch the second edition of the Kusile Kwetfu Cultural Celebration and hold a media briefing, making the collaboration a natural fit.
“A WhatsApp call to Kusile Kwetfu Cultural Celebration Director Thandi Dlamini about my dream to do my album listening session in Mbombela came at the right time because she was already planning the launch and media briefing of the second annual Kusile Kwetfu Cultural Celebration.
It became an on-time collaboration,” he said. The event doubled as a showcase of what Eswatini’s creative industry has planned for audiences in Mpumalanga during 2026.
Around 35 guests attended the programme, including Rise FM Station Manager Makhosi Khoza, Mbombela Arts and Culture International Relations representative Olga Mhlongo, journalists from Mpumalanga TV, Barberton Community Radio, Ligwalagwala FM and Lokuhle Radio,
as well as supporters of Salukazana. The programme was led by poet ImbongiMate and featured Eswatini entertainers Gogo Eswatini & S’lwane,
Slim B and fashion designer Sgonia, all united by a common vision of promoting the Kingdom’s culture beyond its borders.
Sancheziey said the event demonstrated the importance of taking Eswatini’s artistic talent to regional audiences.
He said the listening session allowed fans and industry stakeholders to experience the country’s culture through music before the official release of uMntfwana weLive.
“Fans and industry influencers got to taste Eswatini’s culture through music with the 10-track album that will be released on August 5,” he said.
The listening session formed the highlight of the day’s programme before attention shifted to the Kusile Kwetfu Cultural Celebration, which is scheduled for September 26 in Mbombela.
The festival will celebrate African heritage through music, fashion and cuisine and will feature leading Eswatini artists, including Sancheziey, Bholoja, Cy Ndukwemnyama and Mabhodweni.
Following the event, Sancheziey appeared on Rise FM, where he unpacked the significance of the listening session and shared details about the upcoming album with listeners who were unable to attend.
“The programme ended with a radio interview at Rise FM where I unpacked, in summary, what had happened at the event for listeners who could not make it,” he said.
The Eswatini delegation’s visit concluded with a networking session hosted by Phakama Festival Director Twain Ngwenya, who welcomed the visiting artists and organisers to a family braai.
The gathering brought together Sancheziey, Gogo Eswatini, Slwane, members of the Kusile Kwetfu Cultural Celebration team and the artist’s crew,
providing an opportunity to strengthen relationships and discuss future collaborations between Eswatini and South African creatives.
Sancheziey said the engagements had laid a strong foundation for future partnerships.
“That was a chance for networking and strengthening relations, and with this Eswatini should expect a lot going forward,” he said.
Expressing gratitude to everyone who supported the initiative, Sancheziey thanked those who attended in person and those who followed the event through digital platforms.
“I would love to appreciate everyone who showed up at the event and everyone who engaged with us as we were doing the event digitally and otherwise.
EmaSwati should brace themselves for their own uMntfwana weLive listening session scheduled for August 5,” he said.
